Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: 2-3. Sanctuary Stabilization
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- Would you like to level up?
No reason to hesitate. The moment I hit the <Yes> button, the background around me suddenly changed.
I was now in a grand Gothic cathedral from the late medieval era, with angel statues prominently featured.
Light poured down from the ceiling.
What’s this? The light source effect is insane.
Cute little angels approached, blowing trumpets and scattering flower petals. The sight was so vivid that I felt incredibly exhilarated.
- Congratulations. You have now become Level 2 Incarnation of Metatron, an S-rank hidden class.
Along with the voice, a popup window appeared before my eyes.
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Strength +10
Intelligence +10
Wisdom +10
Agility +10
Vitality +10
Charisma +7
Will +7
Luck +2
*Healing has been upgraded to A-rank.
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“Oh, this is leveling up!”
All my stats had risen steadily. On top of that, Healing becoming A-rank and boosting my healing power was extremely useful. In my case, like Metatron, I couldn’t heal others, nor could I receive healing from them. So enhancing my self-healing ability was crucial.
I was satisfied with the level up, but then I noticed something strange.
What’s this?
The level up button was still red.
Is there more?
When I pressed it again, the message “Would you like to level up?” popped up once more.
No way. I can level up again.
I hit Yes without hesitation.
“Ooh!”
The cathedral background unfolded again, with even flashier effects bursting everywhere.
For some reason, the number of congratulating cherubs had increased.
A new message appeared in my status window.
- Congratulations. You have now become Level 3 Incarnation of Metatron, an S-rank hidden class.
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Strength +10
Intelligence +10
Wisdom +10
Agility +10
Vitality +10
Charisma +7
Will +7
Luck +2
*New A-rank skill Shield Bounce is now available. The shield bounces repeatedly between targets, dealing damage to multiple enemies.
*Elemental resistance increases by an additional 5%.
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“Level 3!”
At the unexpected extra level up, I clenched my fist tightly.
Unexpected gifts always make the heart race more than anticipated ones. It felt like picking up money on the street.
I grinned widely as I checked my boosted status window. Plus, Shield Bounce looked effective for suppressing multiple enemies. It meant throwing the shield once would make it bounce around like in an old arcade game, Breakout.
“Huh?”
As I admired my status window, I noticed the level up button was still red.
“Again?”
How much experience did I get from killing Urukel?
I pressed the button once more.
- Congratulations. You have now become Level 4 Incarnation of Metatron, an S-rank hidden class.
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Strength +10
Intelligence +10
Wisdom +10
Agility +10
Vitality +10
Charisma +7
Will +7
Luck +2
*Mana recovery rate increases by an additional 20%.
*Class perk Regeneration is upgraded to Enhanced Regeneration.
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“Nice!”
The mana recovery boost and improved self-regeneration were incredibly useful.
As a hidden class, it reliably strengthened skills with every level up. I’d heard mage classes would risk their lives for even 5% or 8% mana recovery, but here it was handing out a generous 20% all at once. The scale of a hidden class was no joke.
When I checked the status window again, the level up button had turned gray.
I felt a strange sense of relief. Excess can bring worry.
Anyway, I’d leaped three levels at once, completely unexpectedly.
My updated status window looked like this.
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Name: Yoo Je-a (Vassal of Metatron Family).
Age: 25.
Class: Incarnation of Metatron (S-rank Hidden Class)
Level: 4
Class Perks: Hero’s base stats, +50 additional stats, +25% elemental resistance, +120% mana recovery rate, Resurrection, Enhanced Regeneration, Immunity to disease, Strong mental fortitude.
#Strength 185 (Base 60, Class Perk +50, Shield of the Solar Deity +75)
#Intelligence 182 (Base 57, Class Perk +50, Shield of the Solar Deity +75)
#Wisdom 209 (Base 84, Class Perk +50, Shield of the Solar Deity +75)
#Agility 215 (Base 90, Class Perk +50, Shield of the Solar Deity +75)
#Vitality 197 (Base 72, Class Perk +50, Shield of the Solar Deity +75)
#Charisma 237 (Base 112, Class Perk +50, Shield of the Solar Deity +75)
#Will 273 (Base 148, Class Perk +50, Shield of the Solar Deity +75)
#Luck 163 (Base 38, 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), Aura of Dignity (A-rank. Five times per day), Healing (A-rank. Ten times per day), Shield Bounce (A-rank. No limit. Usable as much as mana allows)
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It’s gotten amazing.
But seriously, Level 4 all at once? Is this okay?
When I asked Metatron about it, she answered calmly.
“Of course it is. Do you think a Lord-grade monster is some mutt’s name? The system rewards great feats accordingly. If anything, you could say you leveled up less than expected. If you were a normal class, you might’ve jumped 20 levels at once. But as my Incarnation, an S-rank hidden class, leveling is much harder than other jobs. Think of it as the hardship of a high-rank class.”
If it were a normal class, I might not have even been able to keep pressing the button.
“Oh, and about that level up effect. Everyone loves it at first, but they get sick of it later. You can turn it off in the options or skip it midway.”
“…….”
Our angels are way too game-faithful.
“Equip a title already, Yoo Je-a.”
“Right.”
There was a title slot next to my name in the status window.
The ones I remembered were Lucky Guy and Fortuitous King, but many more had appeared.
[Hidden Class] - You leveled up once with a hidden class. Will +30, Wisdom +15, Strength -10.
[Incarnation of Metatron] - You became the Incarnation of Archangel Metatron. All stats +30, Magic resistance +10%.
[Slayer of Lord Urukel] - You slayed the Lord-grade monster Urukel. Strength +67, Charisma +20, Wisdom -12.
[Incarnation of Metatron] and [Slayer of Lord Urukel] looked pretty good.
I could switch them based on the situation.
Alright, which one to equip? I moved my hand toward [Slayer of Lord Urukel]. It seemed the coolest. But suddenly, a melancholic aura rose from ahead.
Sulky.
Metatron, who had been expressionless, now looked dejected with her head down. She gazed up at me like a small animal.
“You get to choose such a cool title. Lucky you.”
I also heard her mutter softly.
“I stir-fried so hard... The coffee burned too...”
It wasn’t exactly pressure, but it felt immense. So I couldn’t bring myself to select [Slayer of Lord Urukel] and moved my finger to [Incarnation of Metatron].
Her face lit up.
Metatron, who’d been watching me, beamed like when she found chocolate milk.
No room for choice like this. I selected [Incarnation of Metatron].
Metatron nodded to herself, satisfied.
“Good title equipped. As it should be.”
- You have acquired the [First Time Using a Title] title.
What? Titles keep popping up.
The system voice continued.
- From now on, you can see other hunters’ titles. Your title will also be visible to other hunters.
Got it. Being able to see other hunters’ titles from now on should be fun.
***
I returned to Anyang.
When I got home, Ji-a noona welcomed me enthusiastically.
It felt like the limit on her affection had been lifted, which was burdensome, but complaining now would be weird, so I quietly accepted it.
Even though it was due to multiple time loops, she’d clearly said she loved me, so suddenly pushing her away with “It’s hot, get off!” would make me seem psychotic from her perspective, unaware of the loops. It’d be baffling.
Plus, she’d get hurt with her personality, so I stroked the head of my sister hanging around my neck as she clung happily.
“Feels good. Keep petting.”
“Weren’t you saying I wasn’t your little sister anymore?”
“Huh? Did I say that?”
Oops, she doesn’t remember. That memory vanished in the time loop, becoming a non-event. Anyway, noona, stop being so clingy. She’s hugging so tight it’s hard to breathe.
“You know, your affection is a bit much. Even for family, it’s kinda burdensome.”
“It’s fine. In noona’s life, there’s only Je-a.”
Even her response was burdensome.
“…….”
What to do. Whatever.
For someone like me with a ton of complicated issues, this was trivial. I decided to let it slide.
I carried my koala-like sister to my room. She was heavy with her big butt and chest, but I didn’t show it.
Besides, what I was about to tell her would be tough for someone who’d lived only for me her whole life.
Honestly, I felt really sorry.
She’d been hoping—no, expecting—my retirement.
But now I’d become worse than a hyena, so she might faint from shock.
Still, I couldn’t hide something this important from her.
I took her to the master bedroom and closed the door.
“Huh? Je-a? We’re blood siblings...”
Right. We’re siblings. So noona, stop phrasing obvious facts in a weird nuance. I grabbed her hand firmly first. She flinched, blushed like a shy girl, and turned her head.
“Je-a? Did we fight? Why hold hands so suddenly?”
Why is this woman creating such a strange atmosphere since earlier? Just watching makes my blood boil. I barely kept my face from frowning.
But I couldn’t be harsh with what I had to say next.
Grabbing her hand like this was preemptive defense, fearing she’d hit me. Not affection—just sealing the enemy’s weapon.
“Noona, I have something to tell you.”
And after the confession.
Total chaos erupted.
***
“So? Has your sister agreed to understand?”
The Black Hyena team’s vice-captain asked me. We were sharing drinks at a quiet bar. I’d explained most of what happened.
This serious man was shocked but believed every word. That’s how the talk reached my crying, wailing sister.
“She knows how much I suffered not being a hunter for so long.”
Noona understands me best in the world. So after my confession, she threw a fit crying for days, ignored me, then finally gave up. But worried sick, she quit her inspection job and insisted on moving to Noryangjin to live with me. I broke a sweat convincing her otherwise.
Noryangjin is dangerous for civilians now.
It has sanctuaries, but they can’t block all monsters. Sanctuaries are like screens—mosquitoes still slip in somehow.
Like that Kelphim in Anyang.
But they prevent mass entry. Large monsters that can destroy sanctuaries have the power to tear screens.
In this situation, I explained and barely stopped her from moving to Noryangjin.
But I had to make the worst concession. Thinking of that promise still makes my skin crawl, but I had no choice with her crying like a child.
Living with noona for life.
“Ugh.”
“What’s wrong, Captain?”
“Nothing.”
Nothing my ass. Thinking of living with noona forever gave me vertigo.
Whether I marry or not, I swore to live together as family.
My god.
I might never get married.
What woman would accept a groom + sister-in-law combo?
It could be more annoying than a mother-in-law.
How did I make this worst choice...? Still, not hopeless.
Later, if she finds a boyfriend, she’ll move out for sweet newlywed life with him. That’s my plan—endure until then.
No matter how deep and heavy her love, I believe she’ll come to her senses in a few years.
No, I want to believe. Is she a nun or something, vowing lifelong virginity?
I might not sleep well at night anymore.
“By the way, why’d you want to meet today?”
The vice-captain’s question snapped me back.
“Oh, that. All of you, move to Noryangjin.”
“What’s the plan?”
“Of course there is. Not just Black Hyena team. I’m gathering all decent teams and calling them to Noryangjin.”
I planned to form the so-called ‘Noryangjin Byproduct Scavenger Union’ and become its chairman myself.
Byproduct scavenger is a politer term for hyenas.
“Noryangjin Union?”
Shortened, it sounds like a violent gang.
“Yeah. I’m turning Noryangjin into the mecca for monster byproducts and magic stones.”
Noryangjin originally had a famous seafood market.
But from now on, it’ll be famous as a monster market.
“Is that possible?”
“Yeah, plenty. I have various measures. Noryangjin has suitable buildings.”
In 2015 during the monster outbreak, Noryangjin Seafood Market was rebuilding due to old facilities.
It was a massive structure including the produce market. But the outbreak left the nearly completed building abandoned.
When reconstructing sanctuaries, I requested that building be preserved.
I plan to make it the market.
For that, hyenas need to station there permanently—not just persuasion, but with irresistible benefits.
“Isn’t it a danger zone? Too much for hyenas.”
“No worries, Vice-Captain. Noryangjin now has three archangel sanctuaries. Monsters will feel the pressure and get pushed back. Not dangerous like before, right?”
The vice-captain nodded in agreement.
“And there’s something decisive.”
He leaned in, curious.
I whispered to him.
“Monsters will die en masse. A wave is coming.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
The Lord-grade monster was focused on Anyang and couldn’t touch Noryangjin yet, but it won’t leave it alone. When it does, corpses will fill the area. Need lots of skilled scavengers.
Plus, crucial for hyenas: the front lines might shift. Archangel Metatron, advocate of offense, is back, and three archangels made sanctuaries in Noryangjin. The monster war paradigm could change.
Better to base in Noryangjin for byproduct securing frontline than starting from Gwacheon.
***
A week later, in Ansan.
Korea’s new bustling center, like New York.
Pre-outbreak Ansan was old town; the skyscraper area is the new district.
Today, a grand event was held in the hall of Grand Epe, Ansan’s five-star hotel.
The inaugural meeting of the hastily formed Noryangjin Byproduct Scavenger Union.
It’s called inaugural, but the bylaws are crude, not even a proper legal entity under civil law.
Just a camaraderie group rallied by my charisma.
My fame among hyenas is high. Not for nothing called Hyena King.
Me suddenly succeeding? Other hyenas got curious. Promised big money, top teams flocked to Grand Epe. Some already joined, others watching. Trivial issues. Once money flows, they’ll rush under me.
“Yoo Je-a, Chairman of the Association, is entering. Please stand.”
The announcer’s voice came from outside. I cleared my throat sternly and strode into the hall confidently. With upbeat march music, I ascended the podium as all hyenas stood and applauded fervently.
“Ahem!”
Wearing the chairman hat, my nose was in the sky.
“Esteemed monster byproduct scavengers, nice to meet you. I’m Chairman Yoo Je-a.”
Thunderous applause poured down again.
Kya, this is why we chase positions.