Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: 1-1. The Hyena Dreaming of Retirement
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***
Metatron.
The strongest and most corrupt angel.
To understand her, you first need to know about her birth.
Metatron wasn't born with the gender of female or the identity of an angel from the start. At least not until she stayed on Earth's satellite, the moon.
She was faintly blended into a group that lacked any distinct individuality. That group had been clashing with the great enemies—now called monsters by humanity—for a long time. After chasing and being chased across the universe, they finally arrived at Earth's moon.
"The enemies are descending. To that blue planet."
They too had come to Earth chasing the monsters. And they learned that humans were the masters of Earth.
"We must ally with them. To defeat our enemies."
They vowed to completely exterminate the monsters from Earth. To do that, they needed to join forces with the planet's natives, the Earthlings.
But there were many problems with that.
"You're wrong. We can't communicate."
Their group was far too alien from the Earthlings. Forget communication—they could barely even perceive each other. Only a tiny fraction of Earthlings could recognize their group (these would later become hunters).
"We need to come up with some countermeasures."
Monsters were already causing disasters on Earth.
That's when someone suggested an idea.
"Let's change. Into a form that humans can show goodwill toward."
At first, God was proposed as the candidate.
God was a being humans prayed to. Surely, humans would seek salvation. But religion turned out to be a more sensitive topic than expected. The idea was quickly rejected.
"Then what would work?"
"How about angels? Humans see humans with white wings as good."
They researched angels in human culture.
They discovered that angels were symbols of goodness. Humans were trapped in a binary view: good is angels, bad is demons.
"That seems fitting. Then let's all transform into that angel form."
They researched angels.
They learned the names and hierarchies of angels from mythology.
"From now on, I'm Gabriel."
"I'm Uriel."
"This body is Michaela."
But that wasn't enough. They needed concrete examples of what powers angels would use to help humans and how.
So they turned their attention to something called games.
Angels in games wielded fire and light. They also had buffs and healing spells.
"We can quantify it. Let's grant status to humans. Just like in those games. Humans feel reassured by things they can see in numbers."
"Good. We'll give jobs to humans. Each of us will have different powers, and let humans choose what they want."
"I'll be the Angel of the Sun, Michaela. My familiars will share the authority of radiance."
After debate, they systematized their roles more clearly.
That completed the external aspects, but the internal was lacking.
Having taken on angelic forms, they scoured novels and all the books humanity had recorded about angels.
Countless letters from humanity's works were consumed in just a few days. Through that effort, they learned what humans expected from angels and how they should act.
Now, by acquiring personalities, they became perfect.
From their alien origins, hard for humans to even perceive, they were reborn as beings masquerading as angels—perfectly embodying the angels of human imagination.
With all preparations complete, the angels revealed themselves to humanity.
Humans easily accepted them as allies upon seeing them defeat monsters. The angels selected talented humans, brought them into their families, and bestowed power.
"Use this ability to protect your family. If you can go further, protect the nation. And if you can truly take one more step, protect the world."
With the angels' intervention, humanity's position changed.
From being hunted by monsters, they became the hunters.
That's why people called those who received the angels' power hunters—hunters.
That was when all angels had descended to Earth.
One angel still remained on the moon.
For some reason, that being was just silently gazing down at Earth from the moon.
She too had taken on an angelic form.
She was a stunningly beautiful woman with six dazzling golden wings.
"Am I wrong?"
As she muttered alone, a dark something approached her.
That darkness was one of the beings humans called monsters. All monsters had descended from the moon to Earth, but one individual—one more noble than any other—remained.
Thus, the angel left alone and the darkness met.
They fought for days in that spot. No victor emerged, and eventually, exhausted, they talked.
The angel and the darkness shared the commonality of being separated from their groups.
And they realized their wills were the same.
"Can I trust you?"
"In human terms, this is called 'fate.'"
Deliberation followed. Neither trusted the other.
Finally, two hands joined for a single purpose.
Their existences merged.
The angel's golden wings turned pitch black, and she was reborn as something new.
She was one who had never existed before.
"I am..."
As she opened her mouth to announce her existence to the world,
"I shall call myself Metatron."
***
After seeing Metatron's photo, I couldn't sleep properly.
My heart was racing strangely.
Angels are like a source of regret for me.
As a hyena, I wanted to become a hunter more than anyone. Scavenging rotten corpses wasn't the life I wanted.
I wanted to fight monsters head-on and be loved by the people as a hunter.
But no angel accepted me.
'I'm sorry, you lack the qualities.'
They all rejected me with the same words.
"Ha..."
A long sigh escaped.
What are angels? What is the power they give?
This is what I think.
'Angels are a kind of personified mana.'
They were clearly from another world, similar to mana from fantasy worlds.
In the sense that it was the source of magic or superhuman abilities.
But Earthlings, except for a tiny few, couldn't perceive them. Of course. Earth has no magic, so those with qualities must be extremely rare.
So maybe that mana disguised itself as angels and acquired personalities?
They admitted from the start that they weren't real angels.
They said they took this form to approach humanity.
But now many people think of them as real angels.
"Metatron..."
Just a hunch.
A hunch from enduring ten years as a hyena.
Even though everyone rejected me, maybe she would accept me?
That thought gripped me, making me forget sleep. I'd folded ten years away and planned to retire as a hyena, but my dream of becoming a hunter remained unfulfilled. It was my own regret, one I couldn't tell anyone, not even my precious sister.
That's why Metatron caught my interest.
Maybe she could save me from this jealousy and envy. The reason I worked as a hyena wasn't anything else. It was to mock the hunters. Look, I have no talent, but I'm making it work with smarts, right? But the fundamental gap and the frustration in my heart were never overcome. That's why, after endless envy wearing me down, I'm trying to quit the hyena life.
And right then, coincidentally, Metatron appeared before me.
Is this something special?
Or just coincidence.
A storm rages in my heart.
She's the angel with rumors of corruption.
The only angel among all who doesn't stay in a holy site and has no familiars.
There were tons of bad rumors. Especially since she doesn't create a holy site. Monsters can't advance south, and the current front line holds because angels create holy sites in place, overlapping into wide barriers.
But Metatron doesn't make a holy site. Even though she can.
So she's condemned by fellow angels and people alike.
But I hear she didn't start without a holy site or familiars. Apparently, she destroyed her holy site herself. And her familiars all died by her hand. No wonder the rumors are bad.
So why did such a being fight a lord-class monster there?
***
The next day, I finally took action.
Whining like this doesn't suit me.
If I'm curious about angels, I should ask one directly.
"Hey."
I'd been waiting in advance and grabbed two passersby.
Man, impressive. They got beaten so bad, yet they're moving fine already. That's hunters for you...
Unwanted jealousy wriggles in my heart.
"You?"
The two hunters I called out to are startled.
No wonder. These are the hunters who picked a fight with me at the bar.
They got thrashed by Kelphim.
They look at me with indescribable expressions.
Shame, anger, gratitude mixed on their faces.
I just asked indifferently.
"Body feeling okay?"
"Uh? Yeah. Pretty much."
They seem unsure how to treat me.
Well, then I'll just proceed at my pace.
"You guys know I ultimately saved your lives, right?"
"...Yeah."
They seem to remember picking a fight with me.
So I grin and pat their shoulders.
"Forget the trivial stuff, man. Guys get rowdy drinking. I don't care."
As I play it cool, their expressions soften.
A hunter picking a fight with a civilian drunk is a big issue. If I told their angel, they'd be in deep trouble. That's why they were acting awkward.
But since I'm letting it slide big-heartedly, they can't help but be pleased.
They quickly apologize and thank me in bright voices.
"Thanks, really. You saved our lives."
"Embarrassing as a hunter. Truly grateful."
They seem like decent guys up close.
Blame the booze. Probably new hunters wanting to show off. This incident must've taught them lessons.
I sought them out on purpose because I have a favor to ask.
When I mentioned it, they readily agreed.
"Just say it. If I can, I'll do it."
"Me too. For my lifesaver."
Good, positive response.
"The favor is, I want to meet Suiel, the angel you serve."
***
Suiel is an angel who wields the power of earth.
A regular angel, not reaching the rank of great archangels like Gabriel, so her influence isn't that large.
She even looked down on a hyena like me, so you can guess the state of Suiel's family.
But that doesn't mean you can underestimate the angel Suiel.
No matter how weak her family is, the angel herself isn't weak.
For example, even that famous Metatron has no family.
"This way."
The names of the hunters whose lives I saved were Kim Jun and Oh Sang-hyeok.
Thanks to them, I arranged a meeting with Suiel today.
Kim Jun, leading the way, warns me.
"You'll handle it fine, but don't be rude to Lady Suiel, okay?"
"Don't worry."
Kim Jun cautiously adds,
"And we trusted you to set this up, so don't mention what happened between us."
"Hahaha. Then why pick a fight at the bar in the first place."
"Sorry, booze is the enemy."
They're being very deferential due to the lifesaving grace and guilt.
"Don't worry. You think I'd go out of my way to meet Lady Suiel just to tattle? Hassle."
"True."
Suiel resides in Pyeongchon, Anyang City. Makes sense she'd bump into me since her holy site is in Anyang. Anyang is a key defense point, so many angels have holy sites here. The famous Solar Archangel Michaela is the representative guardian of Anyang.
Minor angels like Suiel are essentially under Michaela's command.
"Here?"
"Yeah, 52nd floor of Arc Tower."
Holy crap. What holy site is in a mixed-use residential building on the 52nd floor?
Angels' adaptability is insane. I figured an angel's holy site would be something sacred like a grand cathedral.
Ding.
The high-speed elevator reaches the 52nd floor quickly, and a sign reads 'Suiel Hunter Office.'
Hmm, what can I say, it's way off.
We all have basic expectations.
At least the interior would be holy. Something with a Catholic vibe.
Statues of angels or saints nearby. Maybe armored knight-monks or priests with incense—okay, maybe that's too much. Guess I've read too many fantasy novels.
"First time at our office? Miss Kim, coffee here. This is the guest scheduled for today."
Miss Kim... Even companies don't use that term anymore.
The place is bustling with visitors besides me.
"Did I come at a busy time?"
"Nah, the attendants are busy. Our hunters and Lady Suiel have free time."
Angels form families, which include familiars and attendants.
Familiars are hunters empowered by the angel, attendants are regular staff.
Papers are flying everywhere—must be a big workload for the regular staff today.
After waiting a bit, a woman who seems to be the secretary calls me.
"Are you Yoo Je-a? Lady Suiel is waiting."
"Ah, yes."
It's been a while since facing an angel directly, so my heart pounds.
Even the brief meeting for hunter aptitude test left a memory of ultimate nobility. She was exactly as we expected, our fantasies—no deviation from the mythic image.
Knock knock.
The secretary knocks and announces, "Yoo Je-a to see you," then opens the door.
Inside, a foreign girl who looks about 15 sits on a large desk. Next to her, parcels are piled like mountains. Fashion magazines are stacked beside her as she works on the computer.
"Hmm~ What to order this time."
Who the heck is this kid?
Her pinkish hair and doll-like pretty face scream angel, but everything else denies it vehemently.
The girl glances at me and says,
"You're here? Sit there. Give me a sec to order this new item."
I sit on the sofa and ask,
"Who are you? Where's the angel?"
At my words, the cute girl in front of me looks at me like I saw something bizarre.
"It's me? I'm Suiel."
"For real? But what angel is lost in shopping mania? This image is..."
The girl cuts in.
"Way different than expected?"
Yeah, that's exactly it.
The girl stands from her chair and walks over, showing off her pretty dress. What angel wears something so worldly instead of classical garb? It suits her, though.
She comes right up and pokes my forehead with her small finger.
"You don't know the image outside and reality are different? What's with you, acting like a total newbie?"
I felt deflated.
This gloom is from facing reality.
It's too real.
Way too real.
Half those piled-up packages are fakes, too.