A New Hideout, the Loyal Pup, and the Apostle's Ascension
Bulmyeol Guild, training grounds.
"You're still weak. You're sorely lacking, so it's only natural you can't keep up."
Boom, boom—!
Every time Cheon Iryeong the hunter's fist slammed into the training dummy, black demonic energy erupted like flames.
Even just mastering the basics of black magic from Lucifer had boosted her output by over 30%.
Kaboom—!
Yet Cheon Iryeong pounded the dummy as if it weren't enough.
Stronger, faster, more threatening.
- Cheon Iryeong, you stay here.
The emergence of the phantom beast Cerberus.
Sa Choiheon had deliberately left her behind.
The one who summoned Cerberus was a ma-in. Realizing that connection might send Cheon Iryeong into a rampage.
Ma-in were formidable foes. Even for the rank 3 hunter Cheon Iryeong, they were a tough matchup.
Especially the ma-in she burned for revenge—they were even stronger.
Kaboom—!
Cheon Iryeong's fist shook the Bulmyeol Guild's training grounds. Guild members peeking through the outer windows whispered among themselves.
"Whoa... she's gonna break the training hall."
"We didn't do anything wrong, right?"
"I heard the guild master left Cheon Iryeong behind on purpose."
"No way, why? Wait. Behind you..."
"Behind me?"
A shadow fell over one of the guild members.
"Move."
"Y-yes, sir."
It was Lucifer, wearing his bread bag mask. He brushed past the stiffened guild members and headed into the training hall.
Whirr—!
Even as the automatic door slid open, Cheon Iryeong kept her focus on her training, not turning her head.
Boom! Thud! Thud!
Streams of black magic energy relentlessly battered the training dummy. Lucifer narrowed his eyes as he watched.
'What the hell is this kid?'
Unstable black magic, which was hard for humans to handle, was already under her control to this degree.
Cheon Iryeong's potential was beyond human limits. With proper training, she could become a useful blade.
Lucifer called out to her with a peculiar smile.
"Hey, kid."
"...Huh? Strategy done already? That fast?"
Cheon Iryeong's eyes widened as she turned to Lucifer. He tossed the hammer in his hand.
"You said you wanted to be Mumyeong-nim's disciple."
Thud.
Lucifer spoke in a dry tone.
"Go learn the blacksmith's repair skill."
It was an out-of-left-field suggestion.
Telling Cheon Iryeong, Korea's rank 3 combat hunter, to learn a craftsman skill.
It was utterly ridiculous.
A demand that trampled even on her pride as a hunter.
"...Yes."
But Cheon Iryeong didn't question it. She just gripped the hammer tightly, burning with quiet determination.
She'd decided to do anything to get stronger.
Mumyeong's strength was beyond imagination.
Just learning black magic from one of his subordinates—what Sa Choiheon called an apostle—had made her this strong.
And this was coming straight from that apostle.
There had to be a reason.
She didn't want to waste this chance with pointless questions.
Hoo.
Lucifer stroked his chin.
He could read the emotion in Cheon Iryeong's eyes.
Blind yearning for power.
She wouldn't hesitate over methods or means for her goal.
A attitude he quite liked.
"Learn the world's best repair skill. Then we'll have the next lesson."
"I'll do my best."
Cheon Iryeong meant it.
"You'd better. It's to help the Master."
Lucifer waved dismissively over his shoulder as he left the training hall.
And in Joo Kanghyeok's semi-basement studio.
He was about to use the pet summon item, the Underworld Hound's Collar.
Ding-.
"Master, you got a text."
Gabriel handed Joo Kanghyeok the terminal from Sa Choiheon.
It was a special item immune to tracking or eavesdropping. A communication tool solely for linking with Sa Choiheon.
Beep.
It resembled a smartphone but without a touch screen.
Not hard to operate.
Just press buttons like an old feature phone.
An address was displayed.
"Already here."
One of the hideouts Sa Choiheon had mentioned. Not far from here. With minimal luggage, moving would be quick.
"Master, I'll check if it's safe first. Take care of Kero."
Gabriel handed over the collar and stood. Note: not summoned yet.
Soon, a single pigeon slipped out the semi-basement window.
"Guess I'll pack first."
Better to summon the pet after moving.
Joo Kanghyeok stowed the dog collar in his inventory, stood, and scanned the room.
Damp and musty semi-basement.
Hard to call it comfortable, even politely.
He'd planned to leave after getting a job. But life had other plans.
'Finally...'
Through Gabriel's abilities, he'd confirmed Sa Choiheon had no ulterior motives.
'I can leave this place.'
Time to escape this semi-basement studio for a new nest.
Hunter Association headquarters.
Awakening Management Director Yoo Jincheol.
"So, there was a massive reaction, and you're calling it an error?!"
Bang—!
Yoo Jincheol stormed out of the vice chairman's office, slamming the door.
They weren't listening.
The Association's equipment had detected anomalous readings. Massive reactions like the previous world boss or death wave.
But the higher-ups were dismissive.
Dismissing it as impossible readings at present. Saying it was fine to handle if a problem arose. Utter nonsense.
'Damn it, I can't wrap my head around it. Am I the crazy one? Driving me insane.'
They should dispatch personnel immediately, seal off the area. But calling it an error?
If real, the vicinity would be a wasteland.
"Goddamn old fogeys."
Yoo Jincheol fumed as he descended the building. A subordinate caught up.
"Director, what's wrong? At a time like this, no less."
"Same for you bastards. If that's an error, fuck... whatever, drop it."
"Where are you going! Director!"
Rumors said this guy had ties to the chairman. All the same breed.
"Don't follow. I warned you. Need to cool my head alone."
Yoo Jincheol shoved the subordinate aside and headed outside.
Tsss.
He lit a cigarette, not stopping his stride.
When did the Association become such a stubborn cabal?
Yoo Jincheol exhaled thick smoke as he headed to the underground parking.
'Even during the death wave, their decisions were incomprehensible.'
Without the Mumyeong hunter, who knows what catastrophe would've unfolded. Horrifying to imagine.
Isn't that why the Association exists? To prevent such things?
'What even is the Association for now...'
Its size bloated enormously. Seizing every chance to swallow Korea whole.
Or maybe bloodthirsty to exploit Korea's crises.
Tap tap.
Yoo Jincheol sighed deeply, flicking ash.
Slam.
He flung open his car door in the underground lot.
'No choice but to check myself.'
This massive reaction was no joke. If error, fine—but if not?
Director Yoo Jincheol opted to move personally.
Only seeing it with his own eyes would ease his mind.
'No need to drag others in.'
As he thought that and moved to enter the car—
Clunk.
Someone gripped the door forcefully.
"...?"
"No need to go."
Yoo Jincheol turned, brow furrowed. The figure picked up his dropped cigarette.
"It's already been handled."
The voice belonged to Sa Choiheon the hunter.
His clothes were filthy, like he'd rolled on the ground. But that wasn't the issue now.
"Handled? Sa Choiheon hunter. What do you...?"
"Yoo Jincheol Director. Now's the time to lay low."
Sa Choiheon gripped Yoo Jincheol's shoulder firmly. His eyes were sunken.
Awakening Management Director Yoo Jincheol.
He was the talent to lead a ma-in-cleared Korea. The unparalleled leader who'd upheld the Association to the end in a ruined world.
One of the few truly caring for humanity.
One Sa Choiheon trusted.
Currently, with ma-in occupying the Association, he couldn't wield power. But once ma-in were gone, no better candidate existed.
'Can't let him die.'
Heading to the dungeon site now would've gotten Yoo Jincheol killed.
Sa Choiheon offered the scavenged cigarette butt.
"Wait for the right moment. Meanwhile, some advice: a call from the chairman's coming soon."
"Pardon?"
Bzzz-.
Yoo Jincheol's smartphone vibrated.
Direct call from the chairman.
His eyes shook. Sa Choiheon spoke coldly.
"Answer it. Taking a sick day today would be even better."
Yoo Jincheol had to survive.
For the future ahead.
An ordinary villa complex.
One housed Sa Choiheon's hideout.
More mundane than expected.
"Hide a tree in a forest. Something like that."
The exterior was a perfectly normal villa.
Parking lot with cars too.
"Loaded with all sorts of magic. Anti-tracking spells, intruder alert skills—paranoid levels. Not activated yet. Registration method..."
Lucifer began manipulating mana. Faint ripples stirred in the air.
"You can enter now. Pretty decent. Not just any handout."
I entered the villa with Gabriel. The address led to the second floor.
Punched in the code, opened the door—the interior revealed itself.
"Whoa... way bigger than it looked outside?"
"Insane setup."
Not empty inside.
Furnished neatly with furniture and appliances.
TV massively bigger than my old one.
Three rooms, two bathrooms.
Spacious living room and kitchen too.
"Damn, even spatial magic applied. Much larger than outside. Sa Choiheon, this guy's loaded."
All necessities prepared.
TV, microwave, fridge, AC, computer—all top models.
"Master, game console here. Latest titles stocked."
"Master, fridge has freshness runes. Ingredients galore. Kitchen design... heh, guy knows his stuff."
Nothing but admiration.
Handing over a place this nice?
Heaven compared to the semi-basement studio.
About 32 pyeong.
I sprawled on the living room sofa. Gabriel already lounged like it was hers.
"This is the best."
Not mine, of course.
But this comfortable?
Oh, and this isn't all.
"You two, come here a sec?"
I gathered Gabriel and Lucifer.
While they inspected, I'd gotten two extra smartphones activated.
"Figured you both need smartphones."
They came with basic modern knowledge upon descent, but smartphones were essential for ongoing info.
One each would be convenient.
I handed them over.
"M-Master... we'll give our all from now on."
"...Overwhelming gratitude."
"And if you need money, take from the bag as needed—within reason."
I pointed to the black money bag Lucifer brought.
"Master best. Welfare top-tier. Unprecedented white-collar corp in the 21st century."
"Grateful, sir. We'll earn our keep. Anything you crave today?"
Watching them rejoice filled me with odd pride.
Seriously, not great welfare though.
...No salary yet.
Maybe after a month.
Wait, how much?
They're pricier mercenaries than S-rank Sa Choiheon.
Think later.
Today: cleared C-rank instance gate, took down Cerberus. Maxed levels.
Mine hit 78.
Just 2 levels to B-rank.
F-rank just days ago.
S-rank closing in.
"And can't forget this."
I pulled the black dog collar from inventory.
"Ooh."
"Perfect for guarding the house."
Gabriel sounded excited. Lucifer eyed its utility too.
Cerberus's Soul (SSR)
Insert the soul into this collar.
Shwooo—!
With black light, a puppy form materialized. The glow swiftly became a black pup.
Woof!
Looks just like a regular puppy. No three heads.
"Transformation pet. Usually like this, but can revert in need."
"So cute."
Gabriel scooped up Kero and started petting.
"Petting a dog is the world's most relaxing rest."
Very satisfied expression.
Grrr! Grrr!
But the pup in her arms thrashed wildly, gnawing her fingers fiercely.
"Relaxing... rest..."
A bit disappointed.
"Gotta name it. Kero okay?"
"How about Gabriel?"
"If Kero sucks, got backups."
Gabriel kept petting forcibly.
"Instead of three dogs, four cheetahs—Pochita."
"...Just Kero."
"Kero, perfect."
Kero kicked free savagely from Gabriel's arms.
"Tch, can't even tame a mere beast? How'll you serve Master?"
Lucifer smirked, lifting Kero.
Grrr, chomp, crunch!
Louder than before.
"...May I train it? Open an instance gate briefly?"
Too feral.
Might be tough as a pet like this.
That moment—
Kero escaped Lucifer, leaping toward me.
"Gasp."
"Master, danger—!"
As Gabriel and Lucifer reached—
Squeak, squeak.
Kero nestled in my arms, rubbing its head blissfully. The wolf became a meek lamb.
"Cause I'm the owner?"
Past ferocity gone.
Lucifer nodded.
"As expected of Master. Even a pup bows to your greatness."
"Kero's not a pup. Just needs time to adjust."
Woof.
Tested commands: sit, lie, beg, roll, bite. All perfect without training.
'Well, it was a magic beast.'
No issue.
Check combat tomorrow.
'At least stronger than me.'
Ultra-legendary magic beast.
Should hold as pet.
"Rest today."
I set Kero down, fully reclining on the plush sofa.
Turned on TV, channel surfed.
Gabriel tussled on floor to tame Kero; Lucifer headed to kitchen to cook.
AC blew cool air.
'Comfort level worlds apart.'
Rank 1's hideout indeed.
Thank him via Lucifer next meet.
'Oh, right.'
Remembered forgotten item. Meant to tell Lucifer on arrival, but moving and summoning slipped my mind.
◈ Raises apostle's rank by one step.
◈ Usable only on Legend rank or below.
Black gem from Cerberus kill reward.
"Lucifer, use the Apostle Enhancement Stone."
One word, and Lucifer whipped toward me. He'd been waiting.
"F-Finally."
"This makes Legend+ possible, right?"
Nod.
Lucifer nodded slowly.
"Do it now."
"B-But dinner prep..."
Gabriel rose, munching chips.
"I make great cup ramen."
"Absolutely not. Tonight's braised pork."
Very firm.
"What's the big deal? Doesn't take long."
"True, but..."
Lucifer approached.
"Master, I beg you."
On one knee, head bowed. Knighting ceremony vibe.
I stood, bringing the stone forward solemnly, lifting it like a ritual.
Will you use the Apostle Enhancement Stone (★)?
"Use it."
Using Enhancement Stone to raise apostle's rank.
Flash—!
The black crystal shattered, black energy enveloping Lucifer.
Big gap between Legend and Legend+.
Restriction release would differ vastly.
Legend Lucifer's one-step release yielded that output.
How potent would Legend+'s be?
As the black energy around Lucifer began to fade—
Inventory's 'Exclusive Weapon Fragment (Black)' reacts to enhancement.
Humm—!
Two weapon fragments emerged from inventory, orbiting Lucifer.
The energy around him intensified further.
"This is...?"
And that instant.
"Whoa."
Gabriel, tending Kero, froze on Lucifer.
Related relic strongly reacts to this apostle.
Special bonus applied to Apostle Lucifer's enhancement.
Something was happening.