A Fan's Near Miss and the Coveted Reset
Thudududu—!
Cheon Iryeong boarded the helicopter once more. It roared through the skies over Seoul.
Her expression was grim as she headed to the next destination.
······Mumyeong was here?
Cheon Iryeong bit her lip.
The D-rank dungeon break had been neatly resolved.
By Mumyeong.
It was entirely plausible. For the man who'd instantly killed a world boss, cleaning up a D-rank break would be a breeze.
That wasn't the issue.
"Ugh······."
Cheon Iryeong let out a deep sigh, her fists trembling.
If I'd just arrived a little sooner, I could've seen Mumyeong in person!
Cheon Iryeong, Korea's Rank 3 hunter.
Still a high school student, she was a huge fan of Mumyeong.
During the world boss subjugation, she'd been injured.
Alone in an empty house.
Cheering on her guildmates while watching the world boss takedown live.
Puhwaak—!
The world boss on TV dropped dead instantly.
At that moment, Cheon Iryeong couldn't tear her eyes from the screen.
How······?
Because there was the ideal strength she aspired to.
She should've pushed through the pain and gone to the site. Swallowing tears of regret, she'd rewatched the YouTube clip countless times.
Cheon Iryeong gazed down wistfully.
In the distance loomed the F-rank labyrinth, rising like a mountain. A sudden realization hit her.
Come to think of it······.
Cheon Iryeong belonged to Cheongmyeong Guild.
Korea's second-ranked guild, right after Bulmyeol.
She dredged up a hazy memory.
At the morning meeting, there'd been talk about Mumyeong.
"Mumyeong's on the E-rank labyrinth conqueror rankings, huh."
"About three times Sa Choiheon's score? That's insane."
She'd been half-asleep, but the rumor was that SNS was spreading word of Mumyeong tackling labyrinths.
It made sense.
Mumyeong's name hadn't appeared on any prior labyrinth rankings.
Cheon Iryeong was half-convinced.
Yeah! There's no way Mumyeong came just to stop one gate break.
Not unless it was in his backyard. Why bother otherwise?
What if his real goal was conquering the F-rank labyrinth······?
Then cleaning up the break en route would make perfect sense.
It was in the way, after all.
That was her conclusion.
Ugh, I wanna go check it out right now.
If her hunch was right, Mumyeong was inside the F-rank labyrinth now.
With luck, she might even meet him.
She had so many questions.
About the secret to that strength.
How to attain such overwhelming martial prowess.
She had to know.
But······.
Cheon Iryeong suppressed the urge to leap from the helicopter.
······Get it together, Cheon Iryeong. This isn't the time.
Anomalies were erupting nationwide.
The recent D-rank break might be child's play.
The site she was heading to was a full-blown disaster.
Thudududu—!
The helicopter had passed Seoul, entering the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province.
It wasn't alone. Multiple choppers converged on one spot.
Broadcast networks, guild-owned birds.
S-rank hunters aboard each guild chopper, no doubt.
But it might not be enough.
Something this massive······. First time I've seen it.
Cheon Iryeong's face hardened as she peered out.
An entire district was shrouded in black veil. Nothing visible inside.
A hemisphere the size of a city.
A massive calamity where even survival inside was unknown.
Soon, the Death Wave will engulf the mortal realm.
Time Remaining - 23:45:29
A calamity descends upon this region.
Massive hordes of magi-beasts spawn in this region.
Preemptive entry can reduce the scale of the Death Wave.
I have to stop it, no matter what it takes.
Death Wave.
A hunting event where hordes of magi-beasts spawn in a designated zone.
A system "event," but a catastrophe for humanity.
If world boss fights pitted you against one massive entity, Death Waves were defenses against endless swarms.
Cheon Iryeong's grip tightened on her dagger.
No choice.
Jeju Island was now uninhabitable.
The result of failing against the world boss and subsequent Death Waves.
This city would end the same if they failed.
Unprecedented casualties.
Cheon Iryeong brought her comms device to her lips.
"Cheongmyeong Guild, Cheon Iryeong. Launching."
Without hesitation, she leaped toward the black shroud.
Conquest level 'Legend+' rewards distributed.
• Demon's Eye 【Legendary】 [Consumable]
• New Skill Acquisition Ticket (Legend+)
• Demon: Belial's Soul (SSR)
• Legend's Emblem x2
The rewards for slaying the demon finally settled.
The constellation 'White Dawn' is greatly satisfied.
Late settlement meant a generous haul. Compared to the world boss clear, it was massive.
"As I mentioned before, the System clearly didn't anticipate your exploits, Master."
Lucifer, peeking from the backpack, nodded.
The constellation 'Master of the Black Star' agrees.
"Good to have rewards either way."
I scanned the list.
A Legendary consumable and a new skill ticket.
These two are the stars.
Souls and Legend's Emblems had no immediate use yet.
Wait, souls?
I hurriedly pulled the 'White: Cracked Soul Lantern' from my bag.
"It won't fit, will it?"
Belial's soul felt too precious, so I grabbed the black imugi soul from inventory instead.
Putting a boss soul in for a reset ticket? Profitable.
No real use for it here anyway.
The soul's density is too high.
'White: Cracked Soul Lantern' rejects this soul.
"······."
Rejected, unfortunately.
"If we're nitpicking, it's that flimsy lantern from White Dawn."
Lucifer nodded knowingly.
"No worries, Master. White Dawn has better soul lanterns. We'll wring one out."
The constellation 'White Dawn' pretends not to hear and whistles innocently.
Confirmed it had future use. Good enough.
"I'll check details on the move."
Item info could wait till labyrinth clear.
I pressed on swiftly.
"Die."
Puhwaak—!
Goblins encountered mid-way died to Weakling Extermination.
Puhwaak—!
Even packs charging in were no match.
Over 50 goblins slain solo.
Shiiik, ting!
Kagak!
Flying traps from nowhere couldn't pierce my defense.
Is this too easy?
With gear and skills, labyrinth runs felt like strolls.
I reviewed rewards while walking.
◈ Belial's eye
◈ Temporarily expands a skill's range to 'national' scale.
'National' scale expansion?
A fitting Legendary effect.
A healer using it could heal nationwide. Buff from home? Possible.
For me?
Weakling Extermination gets insane range.
Current range: 100m.
With this, like Instant Death, I could wipe magi-beasts from my couch.
Broken item.
Next item:
A single golden ticket.
One grade above the Lucifer summon one.
It glowed brilliantly, self-illuminating to eye-watering levels.
Honestly, more intriguing than Demon's Eye.
Skill acquisition ticket.
Legend+ grade, no less.
Maybe the only one worldwide.
"Wonder what skill I'll get."
Lucifer piped up from the bag.
"If luck's on our side, maybe something tied to me. My current power's a grain of sand on the beach compared to my prime······."
"A skill to buff you?"
"Yes."
Lucifer power-up.
Not bad.
I hadn't said it, but Lucifer's combat prowess seemed on par with—or above—Sa Choiheon.
Stronger? Fine by me.
The constellation 'White Dawn' harbors faint hopes.
The constellation 'Master of the Black Star' wants you to use the ticket.
"Later."
No urgent need.
Golden ticket to inventory.
Expanded coin inventory slots to 50 while at it.
Costs skyrocketed, but 1.8 million coins covered it.
Remains: Belial's soul and two Legend's Emblems.
"When can Legend's Emblems be traded with constellations?"
"No exact timeline. But stockpile them—no regrets later. Constellations go wild for them."
Restrictions again.
Like broadcast censorship?
Legend's Emblem x8
Total eight now.
Stack 'em up, as advised.
Last: Title.
Demon Slayer
◈ 1.5x damage to demons
◈ 30% reduced damage from demons
OP-looking title, but with Instant Death, damage boosts might be moot.
"I benefit too, Master. Next demon? Guaranteed win."
Oh, then it's solid.
Rewards done.
All great.
······No unique skill reset ticket, though.
No rush.
F-rank labyrinth nearly cleared.
Aim for it in this clear reward.
"Just past that alley to the boss room."
"Yeah?"
Smooth run overall.
No encounters till boss room.
Kiiik—!
I flung open the rusted iron door to the boss room.
Kiruk, kirruk!
A goblin chieftain awaited in the boss room.
Unlike regulars, dual daggers in hand.
【 Lv.19 】
F-rank befitting: low level.
Could Weakling Exterminate, but······.
Swish.
Pulled Oblivion Sword from inventory.
From the black imugi kill.
"Fighting personally? Rare sight. I'll cheer from the bag."
Lucifer didn't protest.
Level gap too vast.
My level: 50.
Goblin: 19.
Losing would be weirder.
Obvious win, but I raised the sword seriously.
Felt it this morning in the E-rank instance gate.
Experience lacking.
Nearly ate an orc warrior hit because of it.
I'll lean on Weakling Extermination and Instant Death······.
But "just in case."
Needed feel for combat flow.
Kiruk······.
Faced goblin head-on. Raised both hands gripping sword forward.
Taat.
Chieftain lunged. Twin daggers clashed with Oblivion Sword.
Kang!
That instant.
Faint black energy envelops your body.
Black energy gathered at blade tip.
Kieek?!
No effort from me, yet goblin recoiled from clash.
"Huh?"
Lucifer answered quick.
"Your insane talent······! Nah, item effect."
"Figured."
Current Black possessions: 2
• Jet-Black: Demon Pendant [Item]
• Black: Apostle Summon [Skill]
Special from two black items.
Kirruk······!
Cornered goblin flailed wildly with daggers.
Kang! Kang!
Sparks flew from clashes. Goblin daggerplay fast, destructive.
Daggers stabbed repeatedly.
Ting! Ting!
Black energy auto-defended each. Like a light shield.
Good test.
Level gap made it harmless.
No pounding heart, blood cooling instead.
Thus?
Focus sharpened, surroundings crystal clear.
Whish, whish, whish!
Chaotic twin-dagger paths simplified endlessly.
I can stab.
Seized the gap.
Thrust gripped sword with weight forward.
Puk—!
Oblivion Sword pierced goblin's guard. Bone-slicing feel, heart impaled.
"Kieek!"
Chieftain slumped in death cry.
Its sword skill outmatched mine.
Without level/gear? I'd lose.
"Die."
No sword pull; Instant Death finish.
Puhwaak—!
Goblin instantly slain.
Degul.
Its magi-stone rolled out.
"Oh, nice······."
As I reached for it—
"Elite magi-beast, huh."
Crow Lucifer hopped to my shoulder, tilting head.
"Uh······. Real talent after all?"
"Just an F-rank goblin."
"No, elites defy level/grade."
The constellation 'White Dawn' partially agrees.
"Is that so."
Flattery, but felt nice.
Now I knew my level.
Mediocre.
No sword prodigy. Never volunteering for blade fights.
Last hands-on fight.
One-sided wins preferable.
Life's real combat.
My powers suited it.
[ 231 pt / 500 pt ]
Checked lantern.
Not bad.
Elite kill boosted it.
Unexpected for F-rank.
Halfway filled.
Anyway······.
Gazed into void where labyrinth reward would pop.
With faint wish.
"Unique skill reset ticket, please."
"System, time to deliver. Master wants it. Hand it over."
"Does nagging work?"
I asked seriously; Lucifer sheepishly shook head.
"No. But who knows."
The constellation 'White Dawn' anticipates rewards.
The constellation 'Master of the Black Star' anticipates rewards.
Right.
Target: Unique Skill Reset Ticket.
F-rank Labyrinth Dungeon conquered.
Conquest level: Legend
1st: Mumyeong [932 points]
2nd: Sa Choiheon [452 points]
3rd: Chae Arin [395 points]
Personal boss kill? Score lower than before.
No matter.
First is first.
Legend clear regardless.
Focus: Next messages.
The rewards included······.
• Unique Skill Reset Ticket (Legend) x1
• Legend's Emblem x1
The unique skill reset ticket.
"It came out!"