The Berserker's Challenge
Even from that brief glimpse, I could tell she was the strongest person here. In stark contrast to her power, her looks didn't give off that vibe at all. Beige bob hair, pale blue eyes. She was a beauty who wouldn't pale in comparison to Seo-rin or Da-on. And her height was definitely impressive. My years of honed body-scanning instincts kicked in. 'About 172cm tall... and those breasts... E-cup.' The tight military pants and clinging t-shirt made it easy to tell. She had the kind of appearance that made me swallow hard. I had to stay sharp—one slip in focus, and I'd be done for.
I eyed the massive greatsword slung across her back. That thing was as big as a person. It wasn't for slicing; it was for smashing. No way could I grin and bear it in front of someone like that.
"These idiots were rude. Sorry about that."
Her words were an apology, but she didn't bother hiding her arrogance—or even try to. I couldn't tell if it came from her overwhelming strength or if she was just used to that position of power.
"No... it's fine."
"Excuse us for a moment."
She had her people drag the fallen guys into the mart. Only once they were hauled away did the real conversation start.
"I heard why you're here. ...Bottom line: no dice."
She cut me off so bluntly that I had nothing left to say. It didn't feel like begging would change her mind. Just go, I thought. Sticking around felt like tempting fate; I wanted out fast.
So I nodded and turned to leave, but she wasn't done.
"That said... bring me something, and I might trade it for food."
"Really...? But Coins are off the table, just so we're clear."
"Not Coins, don't worry. ...Mana Stones. Bring those."
"Mana Stones..."
It was a new term to me—and to the rest of my group. The name gave a hint, but better to confirm. Pretending to know could backfire, and ignorance wasn't a crime.
"What's that?"
"What...?"
She stared at me like I was an idiot. Seo-rin shook her head beside me like we were screwed, and Da-on gave a wry smile.
——
There was a beat of silence before she snapped out of it.
"R-Right, you might not know... ahem. I just assumed you'd know since you beat our guys so easily..."
'Not a total jerk after all...' Seo-rin thought, based on the woman's response.
She continued her explanation.
"Ever heard that monsters have stones inside them?"
"You mean that purple gem-like thing?"
"Yeah, exactly. Good you know. We call it a Mana Stone."
Mana Stone: A stone containing mana, found in all monsters. It serves as their power source—pure energy. Used to power mana-operated devices.
Such products powered by mana...? Then it hit me. I pulled up the Coin Shop in my mind right away.
'They're really selling them!'
'Mana Refrigerator,' 'Mana Air Conditioner,' 'Mana Induction,' 'Mana Elevator'—most modern appliances were there. Designs varied too: luxury models, budget ones. 'What the hell is this System even...?'
All of them ran on Mana Stones.
'Good thing we have this. No more blackouts.' With mana elevators, building high-rises was feasible.
She noticed me staring into space and knew what I was doing.
"Quick on the uptake. Anyway, we want Mana Stones—3 kilograms. Bring that, and we'll trade for food."
Great terms for me. I'd tossed plenty without knowing. I didn't know how many monsters it'd take for 3kg, but she didn't seem to be quoting some absurd number. Otherwise, she wouldn't explain so nicely.
I was about to accept.
"That sounds—"
"Hold on!"
"Huh?"
"One more condition! Or... is it a condition?"
"What else?"
"Just join me!"
"..."
Didn't see that coming. As I stood there stunned, she kept going.
"No need for trades then. Help me protect these people, and food's no issue. Bring more if you've got 'em—we'll take them."
She meant it. I'd expected some shady demand, but this was fair. The mart survivors seemed well-organized. Faces weren't great—apocalypse and all—but not desperate. Meant she wasn't exploiting them and was strong enough to protect everyone. They trusted her. If she was trustworthy, teaming up made sense. Whether we were trustworthy to her... that was debatable. But the offer had appeal.
"..."
"What do you think, Do-hyun?"
"Can we trust them? That leader maybe, but there are some sketchy guys..."
Seo-rin and Da-on whispered just for me. Seo-rin would follow my lead; Da-on was wary after that incident. So-hyun was simple.
"I think that sister's cool! Did you see how everyone shut up when she showed up?"
"Be quiet."
"Why, just me?!"
Seo-rin summed it up.
"Not thrilled, but... you're our leader, like it or not. Decide, and we'll follow."
"..."
If Seo-rin was saying that much, I had to choose wisely. The woman, impatient, pressed.
"Done talking? Decide fast!"
I'd made up my mind.
"...We're good."
"And?"
"We decline."
"Why...?"
"Not big on serving under someone. You sure you're really stronger than me?"
She smirked at my answer. Sure, it was selfish, but her attitude didn't rub me wrong. The others would back me regardless.
"Fine... respect your choice. But I have principles!"
She gripped her greatsword and thrust it toward me. Held it one-handed. Her strength topped So-hyun's, no doubt.
"What're you—?"
"Can't let weaklings wander off. Want to leave? Prove you're stronger. Do that, and we'll skip the joining part—deal stays on the table."
"We really fighting?"
Her eyes answered yes. I shook my head. No changing that gaze.
With my group's worried looks, I stepped forward. Anyone could see she was a powerhouse. I'd wondered how my strength stacked against a stranger's. When's the next chance like this?
Do-hyun and the woman stood about five meters apart.
"Name's Hana Yoon. As you can see, I was military before this mess."
"Figures... the uniform. I'm Kang Do-hyun. Just a student."
Quick intros done. The crowd formed a big circle around us. Fights are entertaining for anyone—civilians or thugs alike. No one tried stopping it. These folks, survivors of a weak-eat-strong world for days, knew might made right. No deniers here. Except my group, no one doubted her win.
"Too bad, missy—your boyfriend's losing."
Seo-rin, Da-on, and So-hyun clustered nearby as an old man nearby chimed in. Seo-rin yelped in panic.
"Boyfriend...? He's not my boyfriend!"
"Oh? Then this missy?"
"Does it look that way?"
"I'm his little sister."
Da-on laughed it off; So-hyun clarified before the mix-up stuck. Seo-rin ignored it to focus on me, but "boyfriend" lingered, ruining her concentration.
"Ugh, shoo!"
Da-on asked the old man,
"Is she really that strong?"
"Oh yeah!"
He recalled events from days ago.
"Before the boss here, those thugs over there ran the mart."
"Boss...? For real?"
"Yeah, they held people hostage—including me."
He thought he'd be monster chow, tied up helplessly, waiting to die.
"Then she showed up like a savior!"
Hana crushed the thugs without question and freed everyone, becoming leader. But she neither killed nor banished them. Captives grumbled.
"We wanted them gone, but she said they'd behave under her watch."
That let them live safely now. Sure, the System empowered anyone, but thugs fit fighting roles better. She knew it. If they grew too strong, rebellion loomed—but fear of her kept them in line. She was getting stronger too.
"See that guy?"
"That uncle?"
A neatly dressed man in his mid-30s stood confidently amid the guys.
"Used to be the gang's second-in-command. Now her loyal dog! Top follows, so do the rest."
"Where's the boss? You said she didn't kill them."
"Exception. Total scumbag—she ended him."
"Sh-She killed him...? Murder...?"
"Don't love killing either, but necessary. We see it as sacrifice for us."
She handled the dirty work. A normal person once—killing couldn't be easy.
"That's our boss. No way she loses!"
The old man had zero doubts. Same for us.
"Won't be easy!"
Seo-rin, who'd eavesdropped, spoke up.
"Eh?"
"She's right, gramps!"
"Our oppa's super strong!"
Da-on and So-hyun chimed in.
"Huh..."
"They're starting!"
Plenty to say, but fight's on—focus time.