Chapter 82

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Translator: 8uhl

Chapter: 82

Chapter Title: True Incarnation Emerges

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―Ah~ We've finally entered phase 2!

―Truth be told, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Hunter Shin Ji-ui's attacks earlier shaved off more than half of Chronos's Incarnation's phase 1 health.

The national broadcaster's announcer and the Fight Club MC alum known as Rapid-Fire poured out words nonstop while watching the feed.

―For viewers tuning into the Greek S-Rank Dungeon time attack for the first time, let me explain again. The Greek S-Rank Dungeon chronicles Zeus's journey to slay Chronos. The monsters are 'Chronos's Incarnation,' 'True Chronos's Incarnation,' and 'True Chronos.'

A map of the Greek S-Rank Dungeon appeared on the live screen.

―Right now, the Korean hunters led by Hunter Shin Ji-ui have entered phase 2 of the first monster, Chronos's Incarnation.

―The monsters are few in number, but each has 2-3 phases, up to 4 in some cases.

―That's right, exactly.

The dungeon map vanished, and the screen filled with the image of Chronos's Incarnation entering the 'Overwhelming Might of the Absolute God' state. A massive dark blue halo glowed behind it.

―That halo right now is Chronos's Incarnation's mental skill, Overwhelming Might of the Absolute God. It crushes people's spirits and breaks their minds.

―Whoa~ Even watching from the screen, I'm getting tense. Oh, right as I say that! Chronos's Incarnation has raised its scythe!

Chronos's Incarnation swung its scythe down from above. The ground split in two, and dozens of black snakes erupted from the fissure, writhing across the earth like lava.

―Ah~ 'Hell's Pit' has opened! Snakes are pouring out nonstop!

―Without an AoE skill, this'll be tough. Hunter Shin Ji-ui pulls the trigger, but it's like poking an anthill—more snakes are swarming out!

The camera panned to Ji-ui. She grimaced, using Bird That Heeds Low Words to leap and dodge the snakes.

―Oh, looks like Hunter Ha Mi-jun is giving some orders?

―Seems like he'll handle the Hell's Pit side.

―Smart call. A hunter ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with explosive destructive power like Hunter Shin Ji-ui is better off ignoring summons and going straight for the boss.

Mi-jun used his unique skill 'Earth's Gratitude' to bind the snakes at once, then smashed them down with Woodcutter. The severed snakes turned to powder and vanished.

Mi-jun's appearance stirred up the live chat window beside the broadcast screen.

Just then, Chronos's Incarnation swung its scythe precisely at Ji-ui. She dodged swiftly, immediately assuming position and transforming Ego into a shotgun, slamming it right into the monster's collarbone.

Boom!

Ji-ui closed the distance in an instant and, landing on its shoulder, pulled Ego's trigger straight at the monster's neck.

―Th-the upper body's half is blown off!!

―Point-blank shotgun to Chronos's Incarnation!! Hunter Shin Ji-ui is incredible!

―Chronos's Incarnation is reeling back, collapsing!

―Ah! Hunter Cha Do-yun's storm strikes in that opening! A flashy combo attack!

As it fell, Chronos's Incarnation thrust its scythe arm forward, aiming for Ji-ui's neck. She deployed a shield to block the initial strike, but the scythe changed trajectory, targeting her abdomen this time.

―Hold on! This is getting dangerous for Hunter Shin…!

A brief silence fell, then a beige trench coat fluttered into frame.

―Kang Se-bin!!

―Kang Se-bin!!

The announcer and Rapid-Fire shouted in unison. In the footage, Se-bin scooped up Ji-ui and landed safely in the shadows by the ravine wall, then yanked a massive hand from Chronos's Incarnation's shadow to shatter its limbs.

―Hunter Kang Se-bin snatches Hunter Shin Ji-ui away for a super save!

―She completely restrains Chronos's Incarnation with shadows! This is our chance!

Ji-ui immediately slipped from Se-bin's arms, aimed Ego, and fired a massive slug at the fully prone Chronos's Incarnation.

―Hunter Shin Ji-ui goes for the finisher~

―And lands it!

―She did it!

The explosion caused heavy noise on the camera, but it recovered quickly.

The feed now showed Ji-ui looking down at the wreckage of Chronos's Incarnation. Her flowing black hair, her brown eyes surveying the devastated ravine, and the pure white orbs floating around her—all made her look utterly ethereal.

Ji-ui took a deep breath and slowly descended to where the others were.

The blast was so enormous it could have shattered the sky. Chronos's Incarnation's body fragmented completely. A piercing crack like shattering stone stabbed at the ears. A hazy dust wind rose, sucked into the ravine's depths, leaving only the black scythe floating intact in the air.

Bang, bang.

A few more shots at the scythe did nothing.

"Don't get arrogant just because you beat my incarnation, foolish humans. And you, my son Zeus."

"Wait, Father!"

Zeus hurled his spear at the scythe, but it was too weak to hit the soaring weapon. I landed where Hunter Ha Mi-jun and Se-bin-i were, leaving Zeus scrambling after his fallen spear.

"Uh..."

Upon landing, Hunter Ha Mi-jun looked worse than expected. Two massive holes gaped around his exposed ankle below his slacks, oozing black fluid mixed with red blood.

"Did that happen fighting the snakes earlier?"

"Oh, this? Even blocking as best I could, those bastards are just too quick."

Hunter Ha Mi-jun lifted his foot nonchalantly, waiting for Hunter Cha Do-yun's treatment to finish. Not as good as Hunter Han Jin-woo's Healing Hand, but the black fluid was draining well, and the bleeding had stopped solidly.

Lifting my gaze from his ankle, I met a sharp-eyed face grinning cheekily at me.

"Oh~? Does little Ji-ui care about me? This is touching."

"Well, duh, someone's hurt."

Ignoring Hunter Ha Mi-jun's intense stare, I checked the others. Hunter Cha Do-yun seemed fine, and Se-bin-i only had a minor scrape on her hand—nothing serious.

"Alright, let's move!"

Zeus finally yanked his spear from a rock crevice and beckoned us.

Following the beaming Zeus deeper into the ravine brought harsher terrain. Sharp, jagged rocks made footing tricky, so I hopped over lightly with Bird That Heeds Low Words. The other hunters helped each other through.

"Great work, everyone. Follow this path, and Father's palace will appear!"

Zeus shouted before stairs stretching toward the clouds. Looking up, a temple-like structure loomed atop them.

"Hunter Cha Do-yun, one more Sky Breeze, please."

Hunter Cha Do-yun nodded at Se-bin-i's request. A refreshing breeze enveloped us, healing minor wounds.

Thud, thud, thud.

"Here it comes."

A pitch-black humanoid figure descended the stairs. From afar, it looked like a living shadow, but up close, it had distinct features.

Muscular build, long wavy hair, thick beard—the classic male god from Greek myth comics. A giant like 'Chronos's Incarnation—Snake,' wielding that same scythe.

"That's True Chronos's Incarnation."

Hunter Ha Mi-jun adjusted his Woodcutter lightly as he spoke. Basic attacks were similar to the first Incarnation, but with fire attribute, using flame attacks. The Greek Hunter Association called the skill 'Absolute God's Flames.'

'And those flames never extinguish until the thing dies.'

I eyed True Chronos's Incarnation steadily, tension balanced. The ground shook with each step.

"Father! Enough—reveal your true form!"

"You insolent Zeus. Still haven't given up? You lack the strength to face me directly."

His tone was milder than before, but the massive scythe looked ready to decapitate Zeus any second.

While the two gods bickered unexpectedly, Hunter Ha Mi-jun circled cautiously behind it. Se-bin-i quietly manipulated its shadow with one hand.

I aimed Ego at its vitals, poised to fire at the slightest opening.

"Resorting to human aid. You're no son of mine."

"Don't insult them!"

"Haha... Fine, I get it."

"No point cursing humans doomed to die anyway."