Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Rise in Wrath, Thou
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Name: Yu Je-a (Vassal of the Metatron Family).
Age: 25.
Class: Incarnation of Metatron (S-rank Hidden Class)
Level: 1
Class Perks: Hero's base stats, additional stats +50, elemental resistance +20%, mana recovery rate +100%, immunity to death, regeneration, disease, strong mentality.
#Strength 155 (Base 30, Class Perk +50, Shield of the Solar Deity +75)
#Intelligence 152 (Base 27, Class Perk +50, Shield of the Solar Deity +75)
#Wisdom 179 (Base 54, Class Perk +50, Shield of the Solar Deity +75)
#Agility 185 (Base 60, Class Perk +50, Shield of the Solar Deity +75)
#Vitality 167 (Base 42, Class Perk +50, Shield of the Solar Deity +75)
#Charisma 215 (Base 90, Class Perk +50, Shield of the Solar Deity +75)
Special Abilities: Manifestation (S-rank, once per day), Monster Domination (S-rank, three times per day), Dignity Emanation (A-rank, five times per day), Healing (B-rank, ten times per day)
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There were plenty of other complicated numbers and details, but the important stuff was above.
Dozens of resistance categories were listed too, but I wasn't the type to sweat the small stuff. I'd just check the rough elemental resistance percentages. The stats branched out into sub-stats like a family tree when you clicked the base stat category, so it was impossible to track everything.
Anyway, this was impressive.
"Feeling overcome with emotion?"
I nodded without taking my eyes off the status window at Metatron's question.
A status window.
So this was the status window hunters saw. I'd always envied their uniqueness.
And now it was mine.
Plus, my stats were ridiculous at level 1.
In hunter terms, I was already mid-tier among rank-2 hunters.
The class perks gave me gangster-level base stats, and then the additional perks and shield bonuses piled on top for this result.
Speaking of base stats, seeing charisma start at 90 without doing a thing was perfect for a hero. For reference, a normal person's charisma was around 1 or 2.
A well-armed cop or soldier might hit 4. A judge with real gravitas? Around 6.
A fresh rank-9 hunter started at about 10. Even when they unlocked superhuman abilities, charisma began around 10. But mine was 90 from the jump.
I was born with overwhelming dignity and heroic bearing. Sure, the extra stats influenced it later, but starting equal to a high-end rank-2 hunter's charisma? No telling what it'd be like down the line.
Charisma was crucial for leading a group.
Especially since it wasn't some vague ideal—the angels based the system on games.
High-charisma hunters could actually influence lower ones.
With an overwhelming gap, you could even interfere with their minds. So this wasn't invisible fluff; it was real power.
High charisma let you exude a warlord's presence and subdue hunters with a glance.
And it wasn't just hunters—monsters felt it too. My domination ability got a boost from this stat.
Domination, huh.
An S-rank beast of an ability.
Fitting for the incarnation of the Angel of Domination, Metatron. With this alone, I could rule monsters like limbs.
That thought sparked an idea.
"Metatron."
"Yeah?"
"About monster domination. How long does it last?"
"Semi-permanent. It holds until released."
"So, could we do this? Catch a decent monster, dominate it, raise it up. Back it secretly, you know? Let it climb to sub-lord, lord-class, even grand lord someday."
Metatron picked up the thread.
"And have it lead a monster army that betrays them later?"
"Exactly. You never thought of it?"
I'd figured someone like her had.
Domination was her domain, like Michaela's was the sun or Sui-el's the earth.
"Of course I did. But alone, I lacked the capacity. With you, though? Different story."
Got it.
I'd change, but so would she.
Since it came up, I asked if she planned to rebuild her sanctuary. And whether she'd recruit more family beyond me.
"No. Absolutely not."
Metatron shut it down hard.
I'd half-expected it. In past loops, she'd seemed bound by some unreasonable vow.
Or maybe scars from days I didn't know. No point pushing now. Needed time to approach it.
"Yu Je-a. I took you as incarnation for this key fight. After, I'll wander again, and you'll keep joining me, right? But if not, our bond ends. And we won't meet again."
I knew our contract might be temporary.
I'd table that for now.
"I'll decide after this. Got to focus on these absurd foes first."
"Good thinking, Yu Je-a."
Post-incarnation contract, she called me by name instead of "thou." That felt nice.
Metatron was infamous for rarely using names. Might be why the rumors painted her cold. Even among great archangels, all "thou this, thou that"—sounded dismissive.
Even bubbly, round-faced Sui-el heard her superior call Metatron "that bitch" over Michaela.
If Sui-el was like that, no wonder prickly angels and hunters hated her.
"Alright, time for the strategy briefing, Yu Je-a."
Metatron and I moved to a suitable building. Dusk was falling. Before that, I swept the area for magistones. Total: 8.7 billion won.
I'd grabbed 15 billion from the Cyclops x2 and Giant Worm before coming. Grand total: 23.7 billion won.
Unreal.
Ten years as a hyena, risking my neck, netted under 5 billion. Now 23.7? The difference in levels hit hard.
People really do thrive at the top.
Alright, time to buy sis a killer house. One that'll drop her jaw. Then she'll move out on her own place-lust.
As I chased sis from my head with that, Metatron finished the barrier on the building.
"Ungh!"
Took some out of her.
Sorry. I kinda wrecked the last one.
Job done, I offered to pull drinks from my subspace pouch, all polite-like.
"Oh, th-thank you. I'll gladly partake."
Even a simple drink got a calm, elegant thanks from Metatron.
How did a woman like this get the "double bitch" rep...?
I clicked my tongue inwardly and asked.
"What'll you have?"
"Uh..."
She started to say something, but I offered black tea.
"Figured black tea suits you, Metatron?"
Thought it was smooth, but she looked sulky all of a sudden.
Huh? Wrong guess?
As I wondered, she smiled and shook her head.
"I'll gladly have it. Black tea's my daily go-to. This body is a proper lady, after all."
Must've been my imagination. I handed over the tea and pulled out my chocolate milk. Nothing beat it when tired. Scientists endorsed it, so I'd stocked up even as a hyena.
"Look here, Yu Je-a."
Metatron sipped her tea, then used light to draw on the floor. Like spraying neon.
Soon, a crisp map of the Noryangjin area appeared.
She looked pleased with her work. Opened her mouth to continue—then stared right through me.
"Hm?"
What? Something on my face?
Wait, no—not my face.
Her gaze locked on my right hand.
The chocolate milk.
No way?
I moved the hand right, thinking it impossible. Her round pupils followed.
Left this time. Followed again.
Ah... what a blunder.
Big mistake. Luckily, just opened—no sip yet.
Couldn't drop the obvious acting tone as I muttered to myself.
"Ah, suddenly not feeling the sweet stuff. Anyone wanna swap? Something bitter would hit right now."
Sunshine broke out in front of me.
Bright as noon.
Metatron's face lit up.
"Hahaha! Looks can deceive—an adult palate after all! Yes! Hand it over! Tending to family is an angel's duty. Quick, give it here. A proper lady shuns sweets, but just this once, I'll drink that chokko-milky."
She was hyped. Pumped.
Eyes sparkling like stars, liable to drool any second. I passed the chocolate milk, and she forgot her station, becoming the happiest being alive.
So I landed the follow-up gut punch.
"Metatron, I'm light on sweets, but can I ask you to take 'em off my hands sometimes?"
"Of course! You're a good man!"
She's thrilled.
Easy read. Who knew the top great archangel had such simple tastes outside battle.
We spent a quiet moment like that.
Lady Metatron got sidetracked enjoying her chocolate milk, forgetting the briefing.
"Ahem!"
She cleared her throat fake-like and tried restarting.
But chocolate milk smeared her mouth—no dignity in sight.
With her signature cool, icy expression, she licked it off with a tiny tongue. Unconscious habit, probably. Watching her, I kinda regretted giving up my chocolate milk so easy. Did it always look that tasty?
"First off, your time loop let us scout the enemies. So I'll share what I know about those four."
Key info.
I nodded, all focused.
"Start with the big one: Grand Lord Tarha."
Her rundown boiled down to this.
Tarha—Grand Lord-grade. Demonic face, goat legs. Swings dual flails in a frenzy. Can mess with minds.
Karnum—Lord-grade. The crowned one I thought was king. Horns on head sparking electricity. Wields a massive greatsword, lightning attacks his specialty.
Urukel—Lord-grade. Two dragon heads, four arms. My dragon-head lord. Spews laser breath nonstop. No weapons, but dragon scales and claws do the job.
Padam—Lord-grade. Walking toad look. Sharp teeth, huge maw—super menacing. Devours anything, no discrimination. Immune to all poisons, digests whatever it swallows.
"Got the gist on them. So what's the plan, Metatron?"
Asked her first, since she had lord-grade fight experience.
"Divide and conquer."
"Divide and conquer? They don't get along?"
"Right. I fell for a reverse trap last loop because I never dreamed they'd team up. But now we know and can prepare—time to split them and play them off each other."
Per Metatron, the three lord-grades hated each other's guts.
Hated bad.
She conjured light images of the lords in the air. Pointed at the crowned Karnum.
"We back this one. Team up with the electric guy."
"What? Monsters? Teaming with a lord-grade boss?"
Her proposal was wild.
No wonder they called her fallen angel material.