Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Addiction (2)
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I slipped on the Perception Impairment Mask and tied the Voice Modulation Butterfly Tie.
And took off the patient gown.
That finished my preparations.
My condition was good.
I'd chugged a Mid-Grade Recovery Potion, after all, so the injuries from Han So-ra had healed up perfectly.
'Though it didn't taste great.'
The effect was undeniable.
No reason to hesitate, then.
In the Taming Room, I was a god—or close enough.
I had no doubt I could take on even an S-Rank Hunter.
I summoned Han So-ra right away.
Not at a time when she'd be sleeping, but when she'd be wide awake.
She appeared in far lighter attire than in the hospital room.
Han So-ra was wearing a baggy short-sleeved T-shirt and shorts.
The stretched-out neck of the shirt didn't suit her at all.
"……."
Han So-ra grasped the situation in an instant.
Faster than Choi Da-eun had.
She didn't even give me a chance to use Dreamification.
Not that I'd planned to.
Whoosh-.
Han So-ra threw her body into full motion.
With just one step, she vanished from my sight.
And a gale blew in from the left.
Bam-!
Han So-ra aimed a punch at my left jaw.
At a speed far beyond my perception.
Without the Taming App, I'd have died without even realizing it.
'Fine, I admit it.'
Han So-ra had told the truth.
She really had held back to B-Rank Hunter level.
The proof was that I was still alive.
This was my first real encounter with an S-Rank Hunter's true power.
S-Rank was in a league of its own.
Other ranks already pushed the limits of humanity, but S-Rank was on another plane entirely.
True superhuman.
But in the Taming Room, she was just another human.
Crack!
"Ngh!"
Han So-ra's wrist snapped.
Her arm shattered completely.
It was utterly demolished.
Theoretically, it was like an S-Rank Hunter blocking another S-Rank's punch with her fist.
One side had to give.
Han So-ra leaped back in a flash.
She roughly straightened her mangled arm and glared at me.
I could feel the killing intent.
Unlike Choi Da-eun's impotent threats, this was visceral, something I could feel on my skin.
Like facing a stalking predator, my body tensed up.
'I am a god.'
At least inside the Taming Room, I wouldn't lose to anyone.
No reason to fear an S-Rank Hunter.
"Pleased to meet you."
I greeted Han So-ra with an exaggerated bow.
My right arm swept down in an arc as I bent at the waist, showing proper respect.
I'd set my voice to a serious tone.
The deep timbre felt better than expected.
Han So-ra, still wary, asked in a voice cold as ice.
"Which guild sent you?"
"Does that matter?"
Whoever sent me, what did it change?
"It matters."
Han So-ra said.
"This could lead to war."
"…War?"
The only war I knew was the Korean War.
War? Who was the enemy? Who were our allies?
"Don't play dumb."
Han So-ra ground her teeth and assumed a stance.
Her right arm, which had been wrecked moments ago, was already healed.
"If you don't want to talk, fine. I already know it's the Haetae Guild anyway."
"…Haetae? No, it's not."
The Haetae Guild was one of the pillars holding up Korea alongside the Joseon Guild.
A major guild perpetually stuck in second place because of Joseon.
When Joseon failed to clear the 47th floor, no one rejoiced more than Haetae.
'Would they be that happy even if their kids got into Seoul National University?'
No way.
Impossible.
Only the Haetae Guild, constantly compared to and overshadowed by Joseon, could cheer so genuinely at their rivals' failure.
'Yeah, if anyone's got a grudge against Joseon Guild's Han So-ra, it's gotta be Haetae.'
That made her suspicion seem reasonable.
From her perspective, I had to be from Haetae.
But I wasn't Haetae.
Haetae this, Haetae that—I was just a perverted rapist who wanted to pop Han So-ra's cherry.
That was my identity.
"Don't lie to me, you scum."
The air around Han So-ra vibrated.
Was it because she was S-Rank? The difference was night and day.
Comparing her to Choi Da-eun was an insult.
As Han So-ra drew on her magic power, an aura began to ripple.
Intangible mana sublimated into tangible aura, radiating a ferocious presence.
Aura gathered on her fist.
Han So-ra's aura was yellow—almost golden.
The brilliantly shining aura drew my eyes.
A realm and level every hunter aspired to reach someday.
Awe welled up before fear.
'One hit from that, and I'm gone?'
Death would come faster than pain.
I'd only realize I'd been hit after my body exploded.
Without the Taming App, I wouldn't have dared challenge her.
Trusting in the Taming Room system, I charged at Han So-ra.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 'I have to capture him alive.'
Assassination attempts between major guilds were commonplace.
No matter the rules set for inside the Tower, there were limits to enforcement.
That's why individual hunter strength mattered.
To protect what was precious.
Han So-ra was all too familiar with this.
Plenty wanted her dead for political reasons.
Plenty more wanted her sidelined privately, unhappy with legal restraints.
S-Rank Hunter of the Joseon Guild.
Impossible not to have enemies.
Not just in Korea, but worldwide.
Among the masses, a few could match her in a fight.
Had to be.
She needed to identify the attacker.
Know her enemies for sure.
Because she was S-Rank.
Han So-ra couldn't swing her power recklessly.
Blind action could escalate things.
'Take off the mask.'
The man's outfit was suspicious.
Underwear only, not a stitch more.
His intentions were obvious.
She pushed off the floor with her legs.
In less than a second, her body vanished.
A golden aura line traced to the man's face.
Tick-.
"……?"
The mask didn't come off.
She couldn't remove it.
Her fingers merely grazed it.
Han So-ra didn't give up after one try.
She attempted it repeatedly.
Same result.
The man's mask was repelling her hand.
Removing it was impossible.
Golden lines streaked multiple times in the process.
Yet why wasn't the man reacting?
'He didn't react at all.'
Han So-ra's senses surpassed human limits.
She could read unconscious bodily responses.
There was zero change in the man's body.
The implication was simple.
Either he was strong enough to control his metabolism freely and hide it, or he hadn't even registered the attack.
Han So-ra pegged him for the latter.
Weak.
Pathetically so.
But equipped with cheat-level items or gear.
Conclusion reached.
'And he reflexed earlier too.'
Not a skilled hunter.
So the reflex was an item or gear effect.
Not his own power.
'Can I subdue him?'
Even for Han So-ra, reflected damage couldn't be ignored.
Especially since it mirrored her power perfectly.
Subdue with joint locks, no damage?
Worth a shot.
Han So-ra accelerated near sonic speed.
The man showed no reaction.
He had no idea where she was or how he was being attacked.
"I can't see you. But I'm invincible. Attacks won't work."
All talk, no substance.
He was panicking inside.
Han So-ra grabbed him from behind.
The man stared blankly ahead.
She seized his arm and twisted it in one motion.
Then swept his leg to take him down.
Joint lock pain? She could endure it.
Everything went as planned.
The man crumpled from the low kick.
Unable to control his own body, he collapsed.
"Wha—hey?!"
Not a voice of pain.
Just a shrill scream, pure noise.
'Flip him over…!'
Han So-ra twisted his arm while rotating their bodies.
Planning to smash his face into the floor.
Her calf stung more than expected from the kick.
Pain throbbed in her twisted arm.
But bearable.
"Oh, hey now!"
The man flailed in midair.
Couldn't escape her grip.
In the brief moment of falling—three seconds.
All happened within.
Bam-!
"Guh!"
Han So-ra pinned his head with her hand and slammed it down.
She mounted his back.
Completely subdued him by crushing his lower back.
Blood trickled from Han So-ra's nose.
All the damage he'd taken reflected back.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "You're from the Haetae Guild, right?"
Han So-ra wiped the blood with the back of her hand and asked against the back of his head.
The previously smug man shut up.
He said nothing.
"Mind games won't work."
She threw his own words back at him.
His heartbeat quickened.
Proof of panic.
Then, her body shook.
She was clearly pinning him down.
"……."
Han So-ra was back in her own room.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Ohhh, long live the Taming App."
Park Sun-woo, released after being subdued by Han So-ra, was offering a prayer to his smartphone.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Females registered in the Female Bestiary cannot harm the user. You have been subdued by registered female 2, 'Han So-ra'. Escape probability: 0% Dismissing summon of female 2, 'Han So-ra'. "Ohhh, long live the Taming App."
Relief washed over him—he'd survived.
The trembling wouldn't stop.
Park Sun-woo's brain had shut down.
Thus, he kept repeating himself.
🏆 ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED! 🏆 There Are No Bad Females in the World
─ Get 'completely' subdued by a summoned female 1 time (1/1) * Completely: Escape probability 0%
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Rewards granted: Room: Function Addition Ticket x1, S-Coins x10! "Ohhh, long live the Taming App forever."
He rubbed his praying palms together.
Park Sun-woo was sincerely offering his devotion to the Taming App.