Chapter 47
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Clash with the White Wings
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While waiting for the princess to emerge, I'd picked up some info: the moles under Im Ha-neul's eyes weren't from his pattern. He'd inherited one from each parent.
And when he activated his pattern, a crown formed like a headband. His hair tied back into a long ponytail—even though it hadn't been there before, he said it didn't feel weird at all. Like it had always been that way or something.
'I noticed from afar, but... yeah, he's pretty scrawny.'
His frame and muscles were definitely male, but he was kinda skinny.
Im Ha-neul kept talking without pause.
"By the way, Hunter Han Ji-eon... you've only been a hunter for a few months, right?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
"And yet you're amazing. Staying this calm, able to think straight."
"...Must be genetic."
"Oh, right. Your brother, Hunter Han Ji-un, was cool-headed from the early days too. Genetics it is, then. Lucky."
"...How long have you been a hunter, Hunter Im Ha-neul?"
"Me? Well... hmm."
Im Ha-neul paused as if thinking it over, then spoke up.
"I'm an early hunter too, technically."
"So, four years in."
"Yeah, about that. But compared to four years, I'm still so green. Guess I just don't have the talent. Look at her—Yun-sia became a hunter later than me, but she's killing it."
"I see..."
Im Ha-neul. In the previous timeline, I hadn't crossed paths with him much. He wasn't around even at the end of the world. Probably quit hunting because of that personality.
Couldn't let that happen.
"But does talent even matter that much?"
"Huh?"
"No matter how talented you are, if you don't polish it, it's useless. The moment you think, 'I've got talent, so no need to try,' you're already behind everyone else. Effort goes with everything. Even a little bit—effort's necessary."
"..."
"That's why I think effort's what counts most. So what if you lose to someone talented? What matters is how hard you tried."
"...Haha. Hunter Han Ji-eon, you're so mature. Twenty-five, right?"
"Yeah. And you, Hunter Im Ha-neul?"
His face looked at least twenty-two. That'd mean he awakened around eighteen. Either way, it must've been rough.
"I'm turning exactly twenty this year."
"...Pardon?"
He gave me a puzzled look at my double-take. Turning exactly twenty this year...?
"You became a hunter at sixteen?"
"Yeah? Oh man, I was shocked back then. I went out to the field for PE class, and there was this massive flower. Kids were snapping pics, posting on SNS, total chaos. Then one got too close, and plants shot up from the ground, crushing him."
"..."
It was like my first monster sighting. Except...
"I had a close friend back then. She tripped, so I went to help her up? But this plant whooshed right in front of my face. I thought, 'I'm dead,' but my body moved on its own and grabbed it. So I just protected the school and went straight home."
Different from that Ma guy. Running makes sense, rationally.
"After that... a big corporation scouted me, I signed, and here I am."
"You've been through a lot."
Im Ha-neul grinned goofily.
We were deep in personal chit-chat when the door opened, and we snapped to serious mode.
The princess finally stepped out, looking world-weary, dumped her woes on us out of nowhere, and perked up the second we gave her earnest advice.
"..."
What kind of story is this?
"Anyway, we need to move, but we can't go up... so where to?"
We had the key, so we needed to link up with the others. But no collapsed spaces below, left, right, or up.
Then the princess stepped forward abruptly.
"Follow. I know the way."
She strode ahead after that curt line. But she suddenly stopped, turned back.
"My name is Dam-hwa."
"Yes?"
"Name."
"Han Ji-eon..."
"I'm Yun-sia!"
"Park Woo-yun..."
"Im Ha—"
Before Im Ha-neul could finish, Dam-hwa whipped around and kept walking. Im Ha-neul gawked at me, mouth flapping. What a shame. Park Woo-yun patted his shoulder consolingly.
A few minutes of brisk walking later, we reached the outside. Past what looked like an entrance, pink sky—familiar now.
I lowered my gaze from the sky to the surroundings. Total devastation.
Collapsed buildings, cratered ground. This was definitely...
'...Back where we started.'
Dam-hwa's fist clenched hard, then relaxed. She turned back.
"How will you help?"
"Yes?"
"You said you'd help."
"..."
My plan from earlier was simple.
When we went down, the other teams hadn't moved yet. So our team must've alerted them. Word would've reached my brother and Ji Hwa-yeon naturally. Seeing no path down, what would they do?
Simple: find another way down. But after several dozen minutes, probably no such path, so they hadn't.
'That leaves the obvious meetup spot...'
I halted, stared ahead. Ruined village, nothing there—but definitely a barrier ahead.
'If they didn't come, we'll handle it ourselves.'
I turned to check the people behind me. Rustle.
"Huh?"
"Something wrong?"
"...No."
Im Ha-neul's eyes had looked hazy for a second.
'No feeling, so imagination.'
Faint vibrations from the ground. Probably others fighting inside. At least we weren't alone.
'That's a relief, I guess.'
I scratched my nape awkwardly, scanned everyone.
Park Woo-yun: decent at close and ranged, but raw. Yun-sia: versatile, but lacks offense without loot. Im Ha-neul: solid all-around.
Not a bad combo. The mismatch was their unpredictable personalities.
"Alright, everyone, first—"
I opened my mouth to assign roles and head in. But my words cut off midway.
Whoosh! A fierce gust hurled my body away. I crashed through ruined buildings, dragging my feet to stop.
'...Wind?'
Too refined for a monster's power.
'Roughly S-Rank.'
I kicked off, racing back. But no one there. Inside the barrier, yep—all in the village. Problem was...
"Hunter Han Ji-eon! It's super strong!"
Yun-sia pointed at the shattered fountain. Following her gaze, someone descended from the sky, landing lightly atop it.
'What the hell is that.'
Bleach-blond hair shimmering like it'd taken two dyes, long flowing locks, gray eyes, fluttering white wings. One look, and I knew: like the phone or bunny ears.
Shiiiing. Countless swords materialized in the air. They filled the sky, spun toward us, then rained down.
I activated my power, batting them away. But they kept coming endlessly, finally nicking me.
'Durability... about this much?'
Power again. This time, blades shattered, clattering to the ground. White Wings hesitated, then spawned more.
But then it dispersed the sky-full of swords and spoke.
"Quite bold."
It spread its wings high.
"Think you can block this too?"
What—? Before I could think it, boom! Swords slammed down. I sensed them on contact, defended—no major wounds. Others weren't so lucky.
"Hunter Park Woo-yun!"
A sword pierced his arm, another his leg, pinning him down. Good news: not fatal. He yanked them out, chugged a potion.
Yun-sia: covered in big and small cuts. Im Ha-neul...
'Where is he?'
No buildings left to hide behind. And the key was gone too. I rushed to Yun-sia.
"Hunter Yun-sia! Where's Hunter Im Ha-neul? And the key?!"
"No idea on Im Ha-neul! Dam-hwa's over there—on that pigeon's neck!"
Pigeon? I eyed White Wings. Sure enough, something on its neck. Like the pentagonal pillar that sealed Dam-hwa's power. Difference: flower swapped for a person.
"I'll take the front. Hunter Park Woo-yun, support from behind, please."
"Got it!"
Checked other hunters. Few S-Ranks, decent A-Ranks. Issue: their attacks didn't touch White Wings. Plus, some seemed dead.
'Might faint.'
Slim chance, but not just this guy to fight.
I advanced, sizing it up.
'...Wind powers, sword summons?'
Ranged. Plus flight. Tricky.
'And those wings.'
Another hunter attacked. Wings blocked, repelled it. Feathers intact, pristine.
I brushed my scythe. Whiiiine. It glowed white.
I charged White Wings, targeting the open leg. Unlike expected tension, one foot sliced clean off.
Stunned for a split second—crunch! Sword dug into my shoulder. A mutter:
"Such an inconvenient, useless body."
Countless swords spawned behind White Wings. I hurriedly powered them away as they lunged. But the blast flung me back.
Regained footing, looked—ankle good as new, right in my face.
Thud! Tough boot stomped my throat, slamming me down.
"That's how it went."
"What...? No way."
The phone?
"To trample one chosen by the king. Lowly thing. Know your place."
"Delusions of grandeur much?"
"Noisy mouth. Rip those ears too to sober you?"
"Go ahead, rip 'em."
I turned my head to show.
"If you can."
"What...?"
Sensing something off, White Wings whipped around. Sure enough, other hunters ambushed from behind.
I swung at the momentary gap. Long gash across the pale face. I twisted free from the foot on my throat and retreated.
"You're not the only one here."