Scattered to Dust
I'm off.
Mumyeong left those words behind and vanished.
Toward the building swarming with countless monsters.
There wasn't even time to grab him.
"Wait...!"
Cheon Iryeong tried to follow, but her feet wouldn't move.
He's charging into a place teeming with that many monsters without a second thought?
Back-to-back battles.
Cheon Iryeong was completely exhausted.
She could barely lift a finger.
More than anything, she knew it herself.
Even if she chased after Mumyeong, she'd just be a hindrance.
"Ugh..."
Crunch.
Cheon Iryeong bit into the chocolate bar Lucifer had tossed her, her gaze shifting to the building.
She stared at it with wide eyes, determined not to miss a single moment of what was about to unfold.
"H-he's gone?"
"Even for Mumyeong, that's way too many monsters..."
The two S-rank hunters guarding Shelter 10 also stared at the building Lucifer had headed toward, their faces grim.
The number of monsters blanketing the entire building was unprecedented. Even veteran S-rank hunters like them had never seen anything like it.
"And these bastards are filthy strong for their levels, too."
The younger S-rank hunter shook the monster blood from his hands as he spoke.
No matter how you sliced it, failing the pre-mission didn't justify this level of brutality.
The monsters in this Death Wave were around levels 50-60. Even for S-ranks like them, sheer numbers made it a desperate defense.
"Maybe we should go help."
The older S-rank hunter furrowed his brow.
Of course, realistically, that was impossible. Monsters were still closing in on the shelter.
The Death Wave spat out monsters endlessly.
They had to hold position until reinforcements arrived from outside.
"Iryeong, shouldn't you at least go?"
"No."
Cheon Iryeong didn't even turn her head as she replied to the younger S-rank hunter.
"Mumyeong probably hasn't even used his real strength yet."
"Even so, with that many monsters..."
Cheon Iryeong kept her eyes locked on the building.
In the footage, Mumyeong had taken down a world boss in one shot.
Without even using that black magic beam.
So she was certain he'd show the same power now.
That was when it happened.
"The monsters are reacting."
The movements of the monsters near the building changed. Flying insect-like monsters swarmed toward a single point in the air.
As if to devour something whole.
"Isn't that dangerous?"
The younger S-rank hunter said.
This wasn't a simple fight. It was a chaotic aerial brawl. Surrounded by that many, vision would be blocked, directions lost.
"We can't just—"
The S-rank hunter raised a special communicator. But Cheon Iryeong blocked his hand. Her eyes still fixed on the building.
Now.
Right now.
Her pupils gleamed, drinking in the surroundings—and in that instant.
Whoosh—!
The monster swarm charging like a horde of flying insects began disintegrating into powder all at once.
"What?!"
"What the...?"
Each one a living, breathing creature that had pushed even S-rank hunters to the brink.
Now, countless monsters oxidized rapidly from the upper floors of the building downward.
Roooar—!
An unstoppable storm of death swept the entire building.
The chaotically scattered monsters reverted to nothingness in an instant.
Kieeeek—!
Grrraaaah—!
The ground swarms were no exception.
The monsters met their end amid their own death cries.
"..."
Cheon Iryeong etched every moment into her eyes.
She'd seen something like this in a movie once.
Countless lives scattering as gray dust. That futile yet awe-inspiring scene was unfolding right here.
It took just over a minute for the monster-infested building to reclaim its original form.
A sight so unbelievable it felt like a dream.
"Wh-what the..."
"Is this... even possible...?"
Even the two S-rank hunters were stammering.
Not just them—hunters at other shelters would react the same.
Soon, fragments of shattered monsters rode the wind, blanketing the city.
Patters...
Monster debris rained down like precipitation. Their blood and fluids sprayed across the city, endlessly pouring.
Cheon Iryeong, who had watched it all with utmost focus, murmured.
"This is Mumyeong's true power..."
Overwhelming strength.
The ideal strength she'd always dreamed of was right here.
Countless insect monsters oxidized and scattered. Living beings reduced to worthless dust, swept away.
"What...?"
The one who understood the situation best was none other than the villain Han Jongu.
Monster tamer Han Jongu.
"No way. This can't... How?!"
His eyes widened.
Han Jongu could vividly feel the monsters vanishing. He had been controlling them all.
The full scope of the devastation hit him hard.
Is something like this even possible...?
The monster nest centered on the building evaporated in seconds.
His army—gone.
Mumyeong had done something, clearly.
But the scale, the range—it was on another level.
How? How?
The building with the hostages was unscathed. He'd killed all those monsters without a scratch on the surroundings.
"Even so, he hasn't saved the hostages..."
Han Jongu whipped his head toward the hostages.
What?
No monsters left around the hostages as per his orders.
The mantis monsters on the rooftop lay shattered and scattered across the ground.
Thanks to one function of Joo Kanghyeok's Weakling Extermination: 'Sort.' The second phase after the wide-area attack.
He'd already tested it while clearing the aerial monsters.
For Joo Kanghyeok, eliminating non-human monsters was a breeze.
"Mu-Mumyeong—!"
Han Jongu bellowed from within his insect shield, rage twisting his face. Blood frothed at his mouth, eyes spinning.
Impossible.
Even Rank 1 Sa Choiheon couldn't do this.
A world-spanning monster legion vanishing in a blink... Unthinkable.
"You fucking bastard!"
In the direction Han Jongu glared stood Lucifer, floating leisurely in the air, looking down.
"Shut up."
The contemptuous tone slapped Han Jongu's ears. Having lost over 80% of his forces in an instant, he was already unhinged.
"What the hell did you do?!"
Boom!
Powerful magi erupted from Han Jongu. Simultaneously, hidden flying insect swarms in the building's lowest floor surged upward.
Lucifer glanced down casually at the monsters.
No fancy moves needed.
Just bring them into view.
Whoosh—!
The swarm of hundreds disintegrated in a flash.
"Guh...!"
Han Jongu, witnessing it, let out a choking gasp.
Beyond overwhelming—a destructive gap.
"Any more hidden away?"
Lucifer asked with a mocking lilt. His bread bag eyes gleamed red.
"Call them quick. Unless you want to die."
His master Joo Kanghyeok used the legendary Devil's Eye item. With its effect expanding skill range nationwide.
Everywhere in Lucifer's sight was now Instant Death: Weakling Extermination territory.
"No way, no way...!"
Han Jongu's frantic thrashing.
Bzzz—!
Flying insects hidden in the building took to the air, charging Lucifer.
Futile.
Whoosh—!
Whoosh—!
A casual glance around from Lucifer, and the last stragglers were wiped out.
"Gaaah...!"
Han Jongu convulsed, grinding out a metallic screech.
"That's it?"
"D-don't fuck with me! It ain't over! Move a muscle, and everyone here..."
Even without monsters, he could just kill the civilians himself.
But Lucifer wouldn't stand by.
"Where?!"
Bam!
Lucifer's lightning kick smashed Han Jongu's insect shield. Han Jongu flew off the rooftop with it.
"Kuhuk!"
The impact piercing the shield sprayed blood from Han Jongu's mouth.
Lucifer raised his right hand.
With hostages safe, no mercy needed.
Boom! Booom!
Magic beams hammered the insect shield repeatedly. Han Jongu, shield and all, slammed into the ground.
Thud!
Lucifer's beams didn't stop.
Booom—!
30% of the shield gone in one hit.
Booom—!
60% of the centipede shield shredded and exploded.
Desperately summoning more insects—useless.
"L-lies. My shield..."
Han Jongu's eyes shook wildly.
Han Jongu's centipedes were level 90s.
These weren't Death Wave spawns. They were his original tamed monsters.
Crackle, fizz—!
Black energy from Han Jongu enveloped the insects.
Intensity at least S-rank.
He was confident it could hold against Sa Choiheon.
"Why isn't it working...!"
Boom—! Booom!
But Lucifer's magic beams tore the shield like paper.
"My monsters!"
Even pulling insects from his body—futile.
Against the one-sided assault, Han Jongu could only endure until his internals ran dry.
Tch...
Lucifer narrowed his eyes as he fired.
Killing one human was easy. The issue was elsewhere.
Magi.
The energy cloaking villain Han Jongu was unmistakable magi.
Ma-in meddling no matter the dimension.
Now it made sense.
Why a mere hunter controlled such a massive monster horde.
Why they punched above their levels.
A ma-in lurked in the shadows.
Implanted a fragment of magi. Same old tricks.
Magi was ma-in power.
Other races wielding it gained temporary might, but ended in ruin.
"Kraaaagh—!"
A agonized scream from Han Jongu, endlessly spawning insects. Black sparks erupted wildly.
Crackle, fizz—!
Classic ma-in transformation symptoms.
Overreliance on magi.
From the shattered shield emerged something no longer human.
Cracked purple skin, horn on forehead, crimson glowing eyes. A rampaging monster bereft of reason.
Han Jongu would now rampage, sanity lost.
Crack.
Lucifer cracked his knuckles, drawing up black energy.
The ensuing battle was pure attrition.
Boom—! Roooar—!
Lucifer's black beams clashed endlessly with villain Han Jongu's magi, sparking chain explosions.
Lucifer dominated utterly.
Han Jongu couldn't even counter properly against the relentless ranged barrage.
The problem... is this insane hunger.
I watched Lucifer's fight while devouring pre-ordered delivery food.
Crunch—!
I tore into a fried chicken leg.
Like with demon Belial, satiety turned straight to energy.
Busy.
Busy eating.
And no matter how much I ate, the hunger persisted.
Endless void gnawing my gut.
Made sense.
Weakling Extermination had claimed countless monsters.
Plus Lucifer spamming magic beams non-stop.
Gulp.
No time for anything else.
If I didn't recharge energy here, Lucifer couldn't fight properly. Or I'd collapse first.
『 Constellation Master of the Black Star cheers on your mukbang. 』
『 Constellation White Dawn falls into thought. 』
No real fix for this.
Just stuff my face with delivery food to recharge.
I demolished a whole chicken and half a pizza in seconds—then.
『 Constellation White Dawn steels their resolve. 』
『 Constellation White Dawn sponsors a second gift. 』
『 This constellation's dignity twists causality. 』
The second sponsorship appeared.
Shiiiine—!
Pure white light descended before me.
...Second gift?
Nice, but couldn't the timing be better?
That thought lasted a moment.
Checking the item revealed the intent.
This.
Where the light faded sat a pile of pristine white bread.
◈ One bite fills satiety to maximum.
◈ 24-hour curse immunity
Exactly what I needed.
More food than item, but perfect.
"White Dawn, nice one."
Nomph.
I snatched a loaf and took a bite.
Flavor was heavenly.
Sweet, refreshing—barely bread-like.
As the soft morsel slid down my throat.
『 Your satiety reaches maximum. 』
『 24-hour curse immunity granted. 』
Sudden fullness hit.
Delivery food suddenly unappealing.
"Ugh."
Effect was no joke.
Overwhelming satiety dominated my body.
Whoa...
The hunger that ruled me moments ago—gone.
"This'll hold me for a while without eating."
『 Constellation White Dawn smiles proudly. 』
"Whew."
Now I could focus fully on the fight, eyes off delivery. I shifted my shared vision.
"Status..."
Lucifer's domination.
He's just winning.
Beams that shattered demons bombarded the ma-in-transformed villain.
Lucifer's excited thought reached me.
Nothing much.
Just ate bread.
Heavenly bread must be something else.
Hummm...
Lucifer gripped his right wrist with his left. Black energy converged and fired.
Point-concentrated magic beam.
High-density black magi launched from his fingertips.
Boooom—!
Scorching heat and explosion rocked the street center.
Smoke cleared.
The villain, beam-hit dead-on, was a mangled wreck.
"Grrrh..."
The villain thrashed to the end, hand outstretched. Vile magi leaked like smoke from his body.
But that was it.
No change.
Fsssh...
The ma-in villain dissolved into black smoke and ash.
Lucifer stared at the villain's remains briefly before looking away.
The end of one who abandoned humanity was always hollow. Not that the scum deserved the name human anyway.
"He killed at least a hundred humans. Deserved death."
The aura on the villain was utterly malicious. The evil qi etched into his soul from kin-slaying—irremovable.
Lucifer looked up.
"Yes, Master. Time to wrap up."
Evacuate rooftop hostages to the shelter, clean remaining monsters—done.
Without their commander, monsters wouldn't organize.
"Magi will normalize soon. Monsters'll drop to proper levels."
Leave the rest to this world's hunters.
Heading to the rooftop, Lucifer paused.
"Master, did you see the contributions?"
A smile played on his lips.
Mumyeong's score soared alone. Crushing gap over other hunters.
This score at this stage. Never saw it even as a constellation.
Death Wave rewards scaled with points.
Better than demon kill rewards.
Legend+ or higher guaranteed.
Curious what system eval it'd get.
Hm?
As Lucifer smugly stroked his chin.
What.
Someone's presence entered Lucifer's sight.
Familiar.
Among humans, barring Master—the tolerable one.
Sa Choiheon.
Rank 1 Sa Choiheon had entered the Death Wave curtain.
Distant, but thinned monsters made it clear.
Shows up after it's over. Slowpoke.
Missed Master's historic feat. Poor guy.
Should've shown him true rank difference.
As Lucifer shook his head.
"!"
Thick magi from behind.
No need to turn.
Ma-in.
Perhaps this incident's mastermind.
But by the time Lucifer turned, the presence vanished.
High-level spatial magic.
Meant skilled ma-in.
Pointless to track.
And simultaneously.
Whoosh—!
Black magi surged from where villain Han Jongu met his end.
"..."
Smoke rising, sacrificing the fallen soul. It spread rapidly over the black curtain.
Even foreknown, unstoppable.
Designed that way from the start.
"Coming at us like this, huh."
Now magi would overtake the entire Death Wave. Stronger, higher-level monsters incoming.
"Master. That Legend+ skill acquisition scroll from yesterday."
Lucifer eyed the black smoke, voice uncharacteristically grave.
"Might need it soon."