Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: 2-3. Stabilizing the Holy Site
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"Go ahead and take it out. What is this?"
Metatron urged me on, clearly intrigued herself.
My curiosity piqued as well, so I carefully unearthed the egg. It was surprisingly heavy for its size.
Its shell was black, streaked with red stripes.
"Looks like a monster egg."
"Correct. But even I've never seen one like this. I've wandered the hunting grounds for ages and thought I knew just about everything... but this is new to me."
Metatron tapped the egg like a watermelon and even pressed her ear to it. Then she placed her hand on it and shook her head, at a loss.
"It's a shame, but we should dispose of it. Can't leave a monster seed lying around."
Metatron raised her hand toward the egg as if about to cast a spell.
"Wait!"
For some reason, I took a liking to this egg. I hugged it to my chest and stopped her.
"What's wrong?"
Metatron tilted her head, puzzled.
I came up with an excuse on the spot.
"It might be valuable. This is exactly why angels are such a problem! Trying to toss out a precious industrial resource!"
I snapped on purpose, and Metatron sheepishly lowered her hand.
"...You're right. I was too hasty. It might be processable."
That bought me some time, so I insisted on inspecting the egg with magic.
"There has to be an X-ray spell or something. Can't you do a CT scan?"
"Ha!"
Metatron looked utterly exasperated. Then she added,
"I'm not joking about needing to conserve my mana—though I might be exaggerating a bit. Using precise power for some mystery egg would just tire me out."
She'd already burned through a massive amount of mana declaring the holy site, on top of being weakened. Calling her a patient wasn't far off.
"Fair enough. Maybe we can find someone who knows about this egg?"
"Tsk tsk."
Metatron suddenly clicked her tongue.
"Why?"
"Have you ever seen such a useless fellow? Don't you have that ability yourself? You're just not used to magic, so it didn't occur to you. Classic newbie move."
I wondered what she meant until she hinted at the shield. Then it hit me, and I excitedly pulled the Shield of the Solar Deity from my subspace.
"The Eye of Truth should work."
The shield's special abilities included reflection, reversal, solar beam blast, Eye of Truth, magic nullification, and summon nullification—six in total.
The Eye of Truth was a versatile skill useful in all sorts of ways. Activating it from the shield shot a lantern-like beam from its center.
I directed the light at the egg.
The inside appeared vividly, like an ultrasound scan.
"It's a dragon?"
Curled up inside was what looked like a baby dragon.
It was so adorable that it stole my heart in an instant.
It'd look amazing once grown!
"You know dragons don't exist on Earth? Now I see—it's a type of Helkite."
"What? Really?"
I'd heard of Helkites before.
"Yes. Looking at it now, it's clear. I can't tell the exact breed, though."
Helkites resembled dragons but had very different habits. They lacked the dragons' intelligence and couldn't use magic.
More like half-spirit beings than magical creatures?
Some had wings of fire or smoke, others manes of ice—hybrids of spirit and flesh.
Among monsters, they were like heretics, not serving any Lord-class. They roamed Earth freely, living as they pleased. A few years back, one caused a disaster in New York—big news.
"It's dangerous. Better to kill it here."
Metatron raised her hand again.
"So simplistic. Tsk tsk. All that monster-slaying has stiffened your thinking, Metatron."
"What? What are you saying?"
"Hard to believe you're the source of my domination powers, oh angel of dominion."
"Ha, no way?"
I nodded.
"Dominating it would make a fine scout. Since it lives among monsters, releasing it north after domination could yield tons of intel."
The area north of Gangbuk—former North Korea, now hunting grounds—couldn't be observed with magic.
Lord-class monsters' widespread magic interference blocked it, much like instant movement restrictions. Best way was boots on the ground.
That's why so much of the north remained unknown.
"I know a bit about Helkites. They fly high and long. It'll be a huge help. Or we could ride it ourselves to scout the North Korean region undercover."
Metatron hadn't actively used her domination powers lately—lucky for us. She preferred solitude, found company bothersome despite her strength.
She shunned humans, let alone monsters.
She mostly killed them, using domination only briefly when needed. Thus, Lord-class monsters knew little of her ability.
"That's a good idea. Helkites are tough to dominate normally, but starting young changes that. Promising proposal."
Metatron patted herself on the back for creating an incarnation.
"Domination is a hassle. I have the power but rarely use it. No reason to object if you do it instead. It'll be useful. Helkites are fierce and violent, but mere beasts before domination. Beasts obey with a leash and whip, don't they?"
With her approval, my imagination soared.
I pictured myself soaring the skies on a massive Helkite.
Not a true dragon, but close enough in looks.
Thus, I would become a dragon rider from fantasy tales.
Heh.
A grin crept onto my face.
The kind of smile a guy gets buying his dream car after saving up.
"Ugh, that's creepy."
Busted.
Damn, didn't want her seeing that smile.
"Ahem, anyway, I'll take responsibility for raising this egg."
"Do you know Helkite ecology? Knowing how to hatch it is key, right?"
Come to think of it, no clue. I shrugged, and Metatron pinched her brow.
"Unfortunately, no one knows Helkite ecology fully. But bury it in the ground, I'd advise. I once saw a baby Helkite hatch and burrow out."
Like a sea turtle.
"Got it. Thanks for the tip."
I planned to bury it in the empty lot in front of my one-room.
My heart fluttered, reminding me of buying a brine shrimp observation kit from the school shop as a kid.
***
Gate installation wrapped up successfully.
It'd be a fine revenue stream for my reign. Users paid mana to use it, deposited straight to my hunter account.
Not a hunter myself, but system-wise, fully integrated. Convenient, really.
I called in city planners and construction experts for a major build. Time flew, delaying my sister visit.
Ding!
-When you coming? Sis is lonely. Miss you, Jea.
-Sorry, definitely tomorrow. I'll explain everything then.
Sis's affection was now unrestrained.
We used to have some distance, but my "I love you" in the last loop changed that.
Seemed to trigger her latent brother fixation. Purely familial, of course.
"Hmm..."
Work mattered, but sis first.
I cleared blueprints from my desk and prepped to head out. I lived next door to Metatron. The building had two one-rooms per floor; we were on the third.
Once builders finished her holy site, we'd move. Likely a five-story fortress on 3,000 pyeong grounds.
Fortress-style was post-monster architecture, designed to protect from attacks.
Ding-dong.
Rang her bell before heading to Anyang.
"Come in."
Inside, Metatron cooked in an apron. She was a pro—unlike typical characters who can't cook. Master level.
Asked why: habit from solo meals, plus gourmet tastes.
"You're in for a treat. Perfect timing. Come try my fried rice. Praise away."
Stoic face, but excited. Even humming softly.
No reason to refuse, so I entered.
Handmade meal from the top seraph.
Sounds epic.
Who'd guess?
"Thanks."
"No trouble. Eat up. More if needed."
I shoveled it down, mentioning my Anyang trip. She nodded.
"Family comes first, naturally. Cherish your sister, Yu Jea. Enviable, having family."
"Noisy sis, though."
"You soften up at 'sister,' don't you?"
Huh? Did I?
Flustered, I coughed it off.
After finishing and drinking water, Metatron asked,
"By the way."
"Yeah?"
"Not leveling up? You got tons of exp from Urukel. Level up isn't auto—you press the button. Forgot?"
Oops.
Busy, plus system still new.
She pointed out more.
"Equip a title too, Yu Jea. They boost stats variably and serve as your identity plaque—handy meeting hunters."
Hunters see names/titles. Titles become business cards or IDs. Like "One-Eyed Butcher Slayer Whoever" or "Flame Master Whoever."
"Right."
"Do it now. I'll make coffee."
Post-meal coffee, served personally. So ladylike then. She'd make a fine wife someday.
"Thanks."
I sipped the seraph's brew and opened my status window.
No changes since last time—level up undone. Bottom showed red "Level Up" button, gray before, now active from exp.
Good.
I pressed the level up button first.