The Legendary Reaper Hunter (1)
Ju Kang-rim's Saingeom was already etched with countless stars. But among them, only the Big Dipper shone properly—and even then, just four stars glowed as brightly as they should.
He recalled how a new star lit up each time the Saingeom acknowledged him. That meant even if he earned its maximum recognition, he'd be limited to seven abilities.
He'd also learned he couldn't just spam soul contracts to rack up more.
His abilities stemmed from the Saingeom. It opened the path to the underworld, which in turn lent him its power. Now he understood why Yeomra had called it a weapon, companion, handcuffs, and shield all in one.
So someday, I might have to erase one of these.
Using an enhancement ticket on it would be a waste. Among his four abilities, he decided to rule out the one most likely to get axed first.
That was Bi-hyeong's Eyes.
It's damn useful for fighting in the dark, sure. But I don't know how much stronger it'd get enhanced, and it's useless against enemies with keen senses.
He'd seen that clearly against Kangryeong Daegun and Simra's goons. The Daegun had peered right through his will-o'-the-wisps, and Simra's underlings snuffed them out like it was nothing.
The more foes like that he faced, the weaker it'd become. Obvious.
With three left, picking one got easier.
Blood Rain is too early to enhance right now. So it's down to Bloodthirsty Maw or Pibarakgi...
Bloodthirsty Maw's potential wasn't fully proven yet. It'd been great for stunning a crowd in that elevator. Used right, it could even stagger a Death Knight.
And Pibarakgi? No contest—his ace. No wonder Gerald kept Han Min-seong on a leash and milked him dry with a knife.
But Yoo Wol-ryeong had warned him: overuse it, and it'll backfire.
After agonizing, Ju Kang-rim finally settled on one.
"Han Min-seong, looks like I'll be mooching off you a bit longer."
'It's not purely your own power'—isn't that just a sneaky cheat? And Ju Kang-rim loved sneaky cheats.
"Welcome. Han Min-ah."
"Oh, Mr. Ju Kang-rim."
Ju Kang-rim greeted her in the Samdo Renaissance Hotel lobby. After Jeremiah and Luca's ambush, she'd fully relocated from her officetel to the hotel.
She had no idea what went down. But with the elevator totally busted—needing a full replacement—she had no choice but to move.
Perfect timing: Ju Kang-rim offered a spot in prime central Seoul. Why say no?
"Check-in's done. Room 606."
He grabbed one of her suitcases and led the way.
"Ah, thank you! For the stay, just give me your account number and I'll pay it off bit by—"
"No need. It's fine. Yoo Wol-ryeong's our zombie hunting team's captain at Samdo Group. You're temp staff too, so treat it like company housing. No worries."
"Really? Thank you!"
She'd been sweating the bill inwardly. Sure, she was honing her skills as a hunter, building experience—but without real passion for zombie-slaying, her income was peanuts.
In the elevator, Ju Kang-rim said, "Wanted to give you a higher floor, but this is the limit. Anything you need, hit up the front desk or me anytime."
Truth be told, he'd hoped she'd bunk on the ninth floor with Yoo Wol-ryeong. Easier for quick strategy sessions. Plus, most rooms up there were empty.
But Yoo Wol-ryeong shut that down hard: no "normals" but staff allowed.
Han Min-ah's eyes went wide at his words.
"Huh? Aren't you sharing a room with me, Mr. Ju Kang-rim?"
Ju Kang-rim blanked for five solid seconds.
"Why'd you think that?"
He'd replied quick to dodge awkwardness. Too late.
But Han Min-ah just tilted her head, genuinely puzzled.
"Well, fancy hotels like this cost a fortune... and you invited me to stay..."
"Doesn't mean a man and woman share a room, propriety and all."
"You seem trustworthy."
"...I'm on the ninth. Yoo Wol-ryeong too."
Then it hit her. She clapped a hand over her mouth, cheeks flushing as she stammered.
"Oh! You and Yoo Wol-ryeong share? Sorry! I misunderstood! I just figured you as boss-subordinate, no way that'd happen!"
"Way off. She has her own room. Only thing I share a bed with is eight furry mutts."
"My bad, my bad!"
Face beet-red, she clamped her mouth shut.
Things had gone off the rails from the jump. Ju Kang-rim didn't mind much, but to spare her regret over the loose lips, he gave her a moment.
At the sixth floor, he escorted her to the room. While she unpacked, he figured he'd give her the hotel rundown—vague as possible.
"Oh, one thing."
"Yes? I'm all ears!"
"Samdo Hotel's a bit special. Some I learned the hard way, some from explanations. I'll tell you what I can."
"Got it."
"First off, up to the sixth is fine for you anytime. After midnight, no going seventh or higher."
"Huh? Oh, right—Samdo Group staff use it? Security protocols?"
"Kinda, but not quite. Just follow that. After midnight, if you see an open door in the hall, don't pass. Watch it—closes in about ten seconds, then go."
"...Why's that?"
"Door lock glitch, probably. Easier on your mind."
She sensed weirdness but nodded.
"Elevator: if buttons are lit with no one there, skip it. Especially fourth floor—never, no matter how rushed. No fourth floor here."
"Uh... okay."
"Stairs: looping the same floor? Head opposite. Hear laughs or footsteps ahead? Go dead silent till they fade."
"..."
"Oh, sixth-floor folks can't go up, but sometimes seventh-up come down. Ignore and pass. Usually mistakes."
"How to tell?"
"Obvious at a glance. 'That guy's from seventh.' You won't wanna chat anyway."
"Right..."
"Daytime, seventh-plus: someone pokes out a hand or head begging help? Never go. Tell me or Yoo Wol-ryeong ASAP. Unfamiliar luggage in-room? Front desk, we'll swap rooms. Sleep there that night. Also..."
"Can I just go back to the officetel?"
"Nah. Elevator's toast—you'd climb thirteen floors."
"Safer than this."
"Stick to common sense, it's the safest spot. Last..."
"More?"
"Breakfast 7 to 10 a.m. Lunch and dinner: order from menu anytime, free. Cleaning lady 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.—laundry then. Free pool and gym basement. First-floor lounge and cafe, twice daily free."
He turned to her after finishing.
"Said you wanna go back?"
"Nah. I'll memorize the rules. So what if the hotel's quirky? I'll tough it out. Even if I die."
A ghostly rumor haunted the hunters: the government was prepping a massive op.
Post-Awakener Management Act, zombie-obsessed hunters gossiped nonstop. Even civilians buzzed.
"Heard? President's pushing Gangbuk reclamation."
"Yeah. Not confirmed yet."
Ju Kang-rim sipped coffee at Han Min-ah's words. Among hunters, it was fact—debate was timing and leadership.
Her network and experience were thin; slow news was normal.
Han Min-ah swirled her iced lemonade.
"Three months since they abandoned Gangbuk, already reclaiming?"
"Snuck up too fast then. Thought gates'd close soon, holdouts hunkered. Had to declare abandon to evac. But Seoul's Seoul—can't leave it."
Embarrassing, but true. Symbolism demanded reclamation. Especially with elections six months out.
"Won't rush. Mass military and awakeners, smash gate core in one go. Word is foreign aid too."
President dreams of pre-election miracle reclaim. Ju Kang-rim didn't care, but sooner the better—his past life, it flopped.
"Lotsa strong folks'll gather."
Yoo Wol-ryeong muttered over her venti mocha frapp—whip mountain, java chips, chocolate drizzle overload.
Her words: metaphor only Ju Kang-rim got.
Immortals inbound to the peninsula. Whatever their aim.
He figured two forces minimum.
Vito Family and Gerald—they're coming for sure.
Gerald'd send Clint proxy—no sweat. Vito's the wildcard.
How? When? He pondered.
Then Han Min-ah piped up.
"That mean that guy shows?"
"Who?"
Yoo Wol-ryeong's curt reply got Han Min-ah beaming.
"Y'know—that guy. Hunters' pick for Korea's strongest awakener: the Legendary Reaper Hunter!"