Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: 2-4. The Great Foundation of the World
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***
A few days later.
"Sang-pil."
"Yes, hyung."
"Want some ice cream?"
"Sure."
I took money out of my wallet and handed it to Sang-pil. He then bought ice cream from the newly opened convenience store and brought it back. Man, convenience stores are amazing. They even opened a branch in this rough part of Noryangjin.
"Here you go, hyung."
"Thanks."
As I unwrapped the ice cream and saw the chocolate on top, Metatron came to mind. I should pick up some chocolate milk from the convenience store on the way back. She'd like that.
I'd gotten close to Sang-pil over the past few days. It felt like the right time to make my proposal.
"Sang-pil. Want to join our Family?"
"Pardon?"
"I'm not kidding. This is a serious offer. Lady Metatron is the Angel of Domination. You'll grow much faster under her than under Raphael."
I'd already discussed it with Metatron.
She couldn't hide her aversion to the word "Family," but when I pointed out that she'd already made a holy site, what was wrong with making a Family too, she reluctantly agreed.
Metatron needed to change. And now, she couldn't afford to shy away from recruiting a Family to seek allies. Solitary purity had already proven to be a failure in the past.
"Besides, you're on the verge of being released, right? You wouldn't have anywhere to go. How do you plan to adapt to society after losing your power like that?"
"That's true, but..."
"What's wrong? Is there some issue?"
At my question, Sang-pil hesitated before answering.
"The Metatron Family is special. You don't even get support, and the only member is you, hyung. Would someone like me fit in?"
You fit perfectly. Of course you do. You've got the makings of an extremely rare hidden class.
But I wasn't going to tell him that upfront. He'd find out after joining me.
Heh heh heh.
I let out a sinister villainous laugh in my mind, then gave Sang-pil a warm smile.
"Sang-pil."
"Yes, hyung."
"You'll learn as you go through life, but opportunities to reach out to others don't come often. And even fewer are the times when that outstretched hand can truly help someone."
I patted Sang-pil's shoulder lightly.
I had to look like a kind, warm older brother. Muscles of my face, you're doing great, right?
"But this seems like one of those chances. I'm not much, but I want to extend a hand to you. Sang-pil, all you need is sincerity. You've got the basic hunter qualities. As long as you work hard, you'll never be a burden. I believe in effort. I think the world belongs to those who try harder, not just the talented."
Sang-pil had high Will stats.
He's the hardworking type, so I had to pump him up with talk of effort and build his confidence.
"Hyung..."
Innocent Sang-pil looked moved.
"Sang-pil, can I trust you?"
"Of course! Hyung! I'll listen to everything you say from now on! I'll do my absolute best!"
Energized, Sang-pil jumped to his feet and bowed 90 degrees.
I thought he was cute and wanted to take good care of him from now on.
***
I'd gotten Metatron's permission and Sang-pil's agreement. The rest of the process was simple.
I just had to meet the Raphael Family's agent and say we'd take Sang-pil. The agent, who had been agonizing over the release, was overjoyed. How awkward must it be to recommend resignation to a subordinate? I paid a nominal transfer fee, which was refunded to Sang-pil as severance. Everything ended on good terms for both sides.
"Welcome, Sang-pil."
I hugged him and patted his shoulder.
Good job coming here, you lucky charm. Now our Family has secured a hidden class member.
Securing a hidden class hunter is one of the great fortunes for a Family. Everyone wants one, but they make up only 0.1% of all hunters.
Realistically, Families aim more for prestige classes, which are below hidden but still about 5% of hunters.
"Hyung! Thank you!"
"Let's go. Lady Metatron is waiting."
It was a small studio, so a bit messy.
We went up to the third floor of the building and met Metatron.
But the moment I entered the room, I couldn't help but be shocked. Who the hell is that?
On the studio bed sat a grand archangel with an icy aura like frost radiating from her, seated regally.
The background didn't suit her at all, but her exploding Charisma stat gave off an immense pressure.
"Gasp!"
Startled, Sang-pil involuntarily dropped to his knees.
Seeing this, Metatron let out a light scoff—Hmph!—and asked,
"You worm-like creature. So you're Im Sang-pil. You think you can join our Family with that pathetic skill?"
"I'm sorry!"
Her Charisma was so overwhelming that even my heart raced. My chest tingled, making it hard to look straight at Metatron. What chance did Sang-pil have? He was prostrating and wailing. He was probably seeing a mental correction failure message with a -100 Will penalty right now. While Sang-pil was down, I mouthed to Metatron without speaking.
'Why are you scaring the kid!'
Metatron mouthed back.
'So, sorry. I have my dignity, you know. I just frowned a bit. It's been so long since I met a potential Family member, I got nervous.'
'Cut it out! If he pisses himself, you're cleaning it up?'
'Eek!'
Startled, Metatron finally toned down her Charisma massively. Freed from the mental pressure, Im Sang-pil barely caught his breath, gasping.
"I'm sorry. For a worm like me to dare."
"Enough."
Metatron spoke in a somewhat soothing tone (though it still sounded cold).
"This once, I will accept you into the Family. Remember, worm, it's not because of..."
I mouthed again.
'Stop calling him worm! You called me that too—don't tell me you think 'worm' is how you address new people!'
Looks like I needed to teach this one some proper etiquette.
Next time she calls someone a worm, I'll pour out her beloved chocolate milk right in front of her.
Pretend to hand it over and dump it on the floor—what face would she make? For some reason, I wanted to make Metatron lick chocolate milk off the ground.
"Ahem! Im Sang-pil, it's not because your skills are excellent. Remember it's because you're accepting the request of my cherished incarnation. So, strive diligently and never disappoint me."
"Thank you! I am deeply grateful for your grace!"
Overwhelmed, Im Sang-pil bowed like he was before a king.
With his emotions exploding, Sang-pil was doing all sorts of things. If told, he'd probably lick Metatron's feet. Charisma stats are terrifying.
"Alright, that's enough. Ahem! Now, I shall grant you the power befitting a Family retainer. Swear your oath and rise again as a hunter serving this Angel of Domination."
What? Compared to my ritual, this was way simpler.
The difference between unique and mass-produced, I guess.
As I smugly thought that to myself, a golden radiance suddenly burst before my eyes. Sang-pil, bathed in the golden blessing, shouted in joy.
"Taming is the Great Foundation of the World!"
It sounded very tamer-like.
For tamers, taming and managing monsters was like farming.
***
"Sang-pil, send Yeti 1 and 2, and Tiger 1 out of Noryangjin for some scouting."
"Yes, hyung."
I gave the three monsters I had dominated to Sang-pil.
They weren't particularly strong ones worth keeping, so no regrets. They were mass-produced types. Honestly, anything below Hellkite was a hassle to manage, like tiger humans and yetis.
"A wave might come soon. It's not confirmed intel, but everyone's predicting it. So, send the kids out and keep a good watch."
The prediction of a wave was common knowledge. Not just me—everyone was monitoring local monsters in their own ways.
Reinforcements through gates were also planned. My gate at the Metatron holy site was one, but the Ouriel and Micheala holy sites had their own gates, enough to handle incoming hunters.
"Hmm, is this a new flavor?"
On the way back after buying chocolate milk for Metatron by manufacturer, I got bored and opened my status window.
Surprisingly, checking the status window was pretty fun.
Like opening internet banking to see a fat bank account.
Nothing special had changed, but it always felt good to look.
I checked the detailed stats I usually skipped, then scrolled up the system messages, just in case I missed something.
"Huh?"
And I actually had missed something.
-You have acquired the title [First to Dominate a Monster]!
This...?
Oh, right.
It must be from when I dominated the yeti and tiger human on Yongmasan. Checking it, the title gave +5 Domination proficiency.
For me, with [Metatron's Incarnation], I'd probably never use it.
Wait. Then a thought hit me.
I'd almost subdued the Hellkite, but my proficiency was just short for full domination.
What if I tried with this title?
Finding a solution to the stuck problem, I hurried back to the studio building.
In my rush, I tossed the plastic bag of chocolate milk to Metatron. Bad luck—one popped out and hit her in the face.
"You're back? Ow! That hurts! It hit my nose!"
I just muttered a quick sorry for rushing and went straight downstairs to stand before the Hellkite.
"Hoo..."
I took a light deep breath and swapped titles.
Thanks to the [First to Dominate a Monster] title's +5 proficiency effect, my S-rank Domination proficiency hit 55. Maybe now it was possible.
Kieeeek?
Only the Hellkite tilted its head curiously at me. Ignoring it, I seriously activated my Domination skill.
Kieeeeeek!
Suddenly, the Hellkite went berserk.
Unlike recently, when it'd grown docile submitting to my Domination power.
Klang! Clang! Clang!
The cage shook with deafening crashes as the Hellkite-sized creature rammed against the bars.
I had a gut feeling from this.
Domination was just about to take hold. As a young monster with proud dignity, it hated being dominated. But.
"Once you've caught my eye, I won't forgive you if you don't become mine!"
I shouted and amplified my Domination power.
You arrogant little lizard punk.
"Grooooar!"
Straining so hard veins bulged on my forehead, I realized in the next instant that the tense tug-of-war was over. Like the whistle ending a tug-of-war and the rope dropping slack to the ground.
"I did it."
The Hellkite before me stopped thrashing and looked at me. It made kieek, kieek sounds, like it was expressing affection. Man, this sense of accomplishment.
The headache-inducing problem was solved, and I was now the owner of a special monster no one else could have.
Then a system message appeared.
-You have acquired a new title. [Dominator of the Crimson Hellkite] is now available.
-For your outstanding success, you gain bonus EXP +25,000.
Checking the title effects: +50 Dragon Riding, +100 Dragon Affinity, +200 Dragon Handling, +100 Dragon Knight Shot. Flashy options. First time seeing a title like this. And the skills it boosted were new too.
Might be useful later, but not right now. No Dragon Riding skill yet. The system seemed to treat Hellkite as a dragon. Since true dragons don't exist, it probably groups similar types as dragonkin for system purposes.
"Hmm."
As I admired the title, that wasn't the end.
Looking at the bottom of the status window, the level-up button had a red glow.
Ah, the bonus EXP did it. My EXP must've been almost at level 5. So it pushed me over.
No reason to hesitate.
I hit the level-up button. A brilliant light burst, and the level-up effects activated.
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Strength +15
Intelligence +15
Wisdom +15
Agility +15
Vitality +15
Charisma +12
Will +12
Luck +5
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"Oh?"
The stat gains were bigger than previous levels. Up to level 4, Strength went up by 10, but now 15. Bigger increases were welcome. Grinning happily, I checked the new skill added. My eyes went wide.
"No way! Is this even possible?"
I was so shocked I couldn't speak.
In the skill window: 'Angel Domination'.
The effect read:
-As the incarnation of the archangel who governs Domination, you can wield a power no one can imitate to command regular angels as retainers!
"Cheat."
Yeah, nothing else to say but it's a total cheat.