Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Beautiful Times Continue
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This time, I won't worry my sister.
I secretly siphoned off a few pieces of gear from home and prepared for the expedition on my own. Most of it was already stored in my personal warehouse, so I just had to move a handful when she wasn't around.
I told my sister I was going on a short trip with my buddies for a few days.
"Take me with you? Huh? I'll be bored, sis."
Was this 27-year-old woman seriously still itching to hang out with her little brother?
"Sorry, this one's tricky. But how about we go on a trip together when I get back?"
"What?"
"Yeah."
My sister looked utterly shocked.
We'd never gone on a trip just the two of us before. She seemed stunned that those words had come out of my mouth. Actually, it wasn't shock—she just wasn't processing it. The word "trip" must've crawled into her ear, inched through her ear canal like a snail, and still needed a few seconds to reach her brain. And finally, the reaction hit.
"Really? Really? Really?"
She lit up like a puppy that'd just figured out I meant walkies, bouncing around in delight.
"Yeah. Annoying as it is, I'll take you."
"Wooow, thanks! Sis is happy! Should Sis give you a kiss?"
Urk. No thanks. I stuck out my hand and backed away, and she looked disappointed.
"Sis's lips aren't toxic waste or anything. You don't have to retreat like that."
"I only took one step back."
"That one step widened the emotional chasm!"
How'd she know?
Sharp sister. That random kiss offer had already put a good four steps between our hearts.
"Anyway, have a safe trip."
"Don't worry. It's just a vacation."
"Right. Ho ho ho."
I always felt bad about deceiving her.
How many times had I lied to her over the years? It started because I hated seeing her worry.
But every time I tricked her, it left a bad taste.
I hoped this would be the last time.
***
Infiltrating Seoul was a breeze.
This wasn't my first solo trip there, after all. I'd sneak in during off-seasons while picking up odd jobs. I even had my own secret routes.
Plus, this time I was retracing the path from the time loop, so no need to explain further.
I reached the forested area along the Banpo Stream in no time.
Gazing at this eerie woodland teeming with carnivorous plants, I pondered.
With just this Shield of the Solar Deity, I wield power on par with a high Rank-3 hunter—at least physically. Actually, my effective output is even higher.
Hadn't I obliterated that Rank-3 Giant Worm in one hit?
Anyway, point being, did I really need to hunt down those monster aphids and slather myself in their fluids? Sure, monsters have varying intelligence, but they usually steer clear of anything stronger.
What if I strolled in with the shield out from the start? How would the carnivorous plants react?
Intriguing. Time for an experiment.
If it felt off midway, I could always grab an aphid then.
I pulled the shield from my subspace pouch and gripped it in my left hand.
This Shield of the Solar Deity was nearly identical in size and shape to the round bucklers used by Spanish rodeleros in the early modern era.
It felt stable, not too cumbersome—perfect.
Whether due to its SS-rank nature or the physical buffs it granted, I strode confidently into the forest.
No sooner had I entered than I encountered a cluster of monster aphids.
Shoooek!
The ones that would've charged straight at me hesitated and backed off.
Some were even leaking fluids from their tails. Totally spooked.
It was so ridiculous, I yelled, and they scattered in panic every which way.
"This is something..."
Last time, I'd had to run my ass off luring them. Now the tables had turned.
Unbelievable.
I crossed the forest for quite a while after that, unhindered.
I could feel the carnivorous plants watching from above, but that was it.
When I edged closer, their thick vines quivered.
These monstrous plants were clearly terrified of me.
"Impressive."
The shield was more than a legendary item.
It fundamentally altered my very presence. Nothing happened as I safely exited the forest. Having passed through so effortlessly made all my past hyena antics feel pointless. Smearing myself in monster shit that reeked to high heaven, crawling through dank sewers...
While I was doing that, high-rank hunters must've been cruising through monster-infested Seoul without a care—far more comfortably and elegantly than me.
How could people do the same job and live so differently?
I never wanted to go back to hyena life.
Not just relying on the shield—I needed some fundamental change.
Rumble!
Out of the forest, two Cyclopes were there.
They were setting up camp, but upon spotting me, they jumped up and grabbed their clubs.
Perfect timing.
I'd been itching to test the combat skills I'd practiced under Sui-El.
The solar beam was powerful, sure, but it left the shield drained afterward. The cooldown created a huge gap—not for spamming.
So, time to try standard moves.
What were those?
Simple.
Hurl the Shield of the Solar Deity like a discus.
With my +75 strength buff plus the shield's own power, it'd be devastating.
For reference, +75 strength outmuscles most giants. Meaning I surpassed those 3-meter Cyclopes in raw power.
That said, wrestling them would be dumb.
What good's strength with short arms and legs?
Whoooosh!
I flung the shield like a discus without hesitation.
It spun ferociously, startling even me.
KABOOM!
It demolished their campsite in one go.
A carefully stacked pile of rocks shattered everywhere.
Rumble!
The Cyclopes were visibly shocked by the shield's power.
Ignoring them, I raised my hand upward.
The shield, having flown dozens of meters, returned to my grasp.
One of its special abilities: the user can summon it anytime. Throw and recall at will.
I posed to throw again, and the two Cyclopes charged desperately. They'd sensed the shield's danger and wanted to close in fast.
They held their clubs out front like shields as they rushed.
Whoooosh!
I hurled it with full force again.
This time, it smashed into one Cyclops's club.
CRACK!
The bone club, thicker than a tree trunk, splintered. The startled Cyclops dropped it and flailed wildly, arms raised like a surrender.
Too bad my throw lacked oomph—the shield ricocheted off. I recalled it to throw again, but the other Cyclops was already on me.
For times like this, there's a perfect trick.
A quick solar flash to scatter the enemy's vision.
FLASH!
A blinding light erupted, dwarfing any stun grenade.
With only one eye, the Cyclops was utterly disoriented. I backpedaled in the gap.
Someone seeing this might think I was too calm for a first-time magic weapon user.
But this? After ten years in the slaughterhouse that was my life, it was nothing.
Hyenas fear Rank-5 Cyclopes because they can't hurt them. But with countermeasures, I've got breathing room.
Whoooosh!
Full-power throw again.
This one spun wildly, visibly curving mid-flight.
CRUNCH!
It nailed the Cyclops square in the head.
"Grk!"
I couldn't help grimacing as I watched—the shield embedded perfectly in its massive skull.
Not just me; the other Cyclops gaped in horror at the sight.
I recalled the shield instantly.
Drip.
Blood and brains slid off it.
I shook off the mess with a grimace and eyed the remaining Cyclops.
Growl.
It looked petrified.
Seeing this mighty giant backpedal in terror was... odd.
Spare it?
Show some mercy?
The thought flickered briefly, then I remembered their magic stones.
"Nah, can't do that. Heh heh heh."
From memory, these two had stones worth 2 billion combined.
No way I'd pass up that jackpot.
I reared back with the shield hand, and the Cyclops whipped around to flee.
Funny sight—clutching its broken half-club as it ran.
I carefully aimed for the back of its head.
Shield-throwing was like discus—accounting for spin.
There... perfect.
Whiiiish!
The shield rocketed forward, shockingly fast.
Compared to that, the Cyclops's sprint was practically standing still.
THUNK!
It buried deep into the nape.
One hit. Took down that powerhouse giant.
Momentum carried it a few more steps before it knelt on one knee and expired. It slumped against the broken club, which propped it up perfectly.
I nudged it—solid as a rock.
Core extraction would be a pain.
Sighing, I pulled an electric chainsaw from subspace.
Planned to slice the thigh like lumber.
Vrrrrr!
The chain bit into flesh, blood spraying my face. I spat out what got in my mouth and kept cutting.
Grind, grind.
The saw grinding bone was eerie.
But after ten years as a hyena, it barely registered.
I even played lumberjack.
"Timber."
The legless corpse toppled backward with a thud.
"Cough! Cough!"
Dust everywhere.
I waved it off, then carved open the body to retrieve the core.
"Alright then."
One more core to snag before meeting Metatron.
Heading to Nodeul Station to one-shot that Giant Worm.
That one's worth 13 billion.
Suddenly, I was whistling.
***
Back on the subway line from Nodeul to Noryangjin Station. Man, not some heart-wrenching spot from a first love, but I'm visiting way too often.
Huh... come to think of it, I've never had a first love.
Not like I've got zero experience with women.
I'd hit upscale spots after expeditions.
Still, never been in love at my age—kinda sad.
No room for it, anyway.
Ten years dancing on death's edge. Maintaining my sanity this far is a miracle. Honestly, credit my loud, flighty sister.
Once got into a brawl in a hunting ground that turned murderous. Guilt and shock nearly broke me. I spiraled, but she never let go.
Slapped me, yelled, hugged and soothed—never gave up on my annoying ass. Said even if the world abandoned me, she wouldn't.
Gotta admit, she was kinda cool then.
In the end, my sister's obsessive love for her only family saved me.
That's why I'm somewhat mentally stable now.
"Hmm..."
Lost in thought, I hit a fork.
I'd been careless, but the time loop confirmed no threats on this line besides the Giant Worm.
I'd poked around mid-way, scanning for Metatron's feathers.
"Here it is."
Shield forward, I took the left path.
The proper route was straight along the tracks.
Left was the Giant Worm's burrow. Still, I crept silently onward.
At the end, I found the Giant Worm asleep.
"Knew it."
It hadn't stirred when our team passed.
Given it only popped after the maknae fucked up, probably dozing or zoned out.
If ambush predator like a trap spider, it'd have hit at the fork.
Grumble. Grrr.
Deep breathing from the sprawled Giant Worm.
Jackpot.
No hesitation—I aimed the shield.
Whiiiirrrr.
Light flashed. Sudden intense heat made the worm thrash and scream.
But soon it charred black and stilled.
"Unreal."
Just like that—13 billion richer.