Demons' Pact and the Jeju Horde
Ma-in, otherworldly beings who had infiltrated the present world.
"Hah, does this even make sense?"
"All the Ma-in in Korea wiped out."
"Even the apostle of Pride from the Seven Deadly Sins got taken down..."
"The biggest problem is wasting the Key of the Apocalypse for nothing. We never should have entrusted the task to lowly scum."
The upper Ma-in Palan couldn't hold back his lament.
"Korea's Association Chairman paid the price for that."
Fourteen shadows floated around him.
They were the fifteen Ma-in at the center of conquering the present world. Originally sixteen, but one had died—the Korean Association Chairman.
Most were upper Ma-in.
An awkward silence hung in the air. Everyone hoped a top-tier Ma-in would step forward.
All the Ma-in in Korea had been slaughtered.
Even the apostle of Pride from the Seven Deadly Sins had been slain.
Mumyeong was no longer an ordinary human.
The artifact Key of the Apocalypse was practically the Ma-in's strongest trump card. And even the apocalypse monster it summoned had been defeated.
The upper Ma-in couldn't step in personally.
Tsk tsk.
Upper Ma-in Palan clicked his tongue.
Yet no one stepped forward readily. They feared Mumyeong.
"... "
Even the top-tier Ma-in remained silent.
Palan spoke in frustration.
"Now that the Ma-in's identity has been exposed, do we really need to stay hidden like this?"
The Ma-in had infiltrated human society.
That secret was now public knowledge.
Couldn't they find a way by acting more aggressively?
The response was cold.
They planned to observe the situation.
Then, someone changed the subject.
The Seven Deadly Sins apostles who had descended into the present world.
This was another major problem.
"Hmm, I see it differently. The chaos brought by the Seven Deadly Sins could work in our favor."
Palan furrowed his brow and stroked his beard.
The Seven Deadly Sins sought to bring about the apocalypse.
There was the issue of them being uncontrollable, but the situation itself was perfect for strengthening the Ma-in's power.
The Ma-in had already infiltrated every corner of society.
There was no better material to incite humans against a clear external enemy and manipulate them at will.
As the shadows voiced their agreement—
Splurt—!
One shadow's head was ripped off. Black blood sprayed like a fountain across the screen.
"Wh-what...?"
The Ma-in's panicked voices echoed. Who could dare disrupt this sacred meeting?
"Wh-who are you—?!"
Someone lifted the neck from within the shadow. An unidentified intruder had crashed the meeting.
The voice coming through the continued transmission belonged to a young boy.
The boy who hijacked the transmission shouted at the fourteen Ma-in.
Palan's eyes shook violently.
Each Ma-in's location was top secret.
To breach it so easily...
Palan hurriedly checked the exit.
The apostle of the apocalypse intoned like a threat.
The meeting fell deathly silent. Envy's irritated voice followed.
This wasn't for the upper Ma-in to decide.
As silence persisted,
A top-tier Ma-in who had kept silent finally spoke.
Negotiating with an apostle of the apocalypse.
As the upper Ma-in swallowed hard at the audacity,
Envy accepted. He shoved aside the dead Ma-in and took the seat.
The boy's shadow materialized in the air.
An alliance between the Seven Deadly Sins and the Ma-in.
A bizarre pact never seen in all history.
Kwaaaa—!
Every time Lucifer's magic beam tore through the monsters blocking the path, the guild members let out exclamations of awe.
"Whoa, the mana density is on another level from ours."
"No mana limits or anything?"
The Bulmyeol guild members gasped in admiration.
"Bread Bag. That's Mumyeong Hunter-nim's summon, right?"
"A summon's mana depends on the summoner..."
"Means Mumyeong-nim is just as strong."
The devastated Jeju Island.
Once a beautiful tourist spot, Jeju Island had transformed into monster territory.
Collapsed buildings, unnaturally swollen monster nests, streets turned pitch black.
"We're almost there. Thanks to you two, it was a breeze."
Space ability user Yoo Jihun looked at Lucifer and Gabriel as he spoke.
The base point was an open clearing. A spot with fewer monsters around, pointed out by Sa Choiheon.
"Mumyeong-nim and Jeju conquest."
"More nervous than the first time meeting the Guild Master."
"I-I'll set up the tents!"
"Kids, slow down. Take it easy."
Yoo Jihun calmed the guild members.
It was the day after conquering the Apocalypse Temple.
Normally time for rest.
Yet half of Bulmyeol Guild had gathered here.
Guild Master Sa Choiheon had said only those who wanted to go should come.
Having witnessed Mumyeong's exploits in the Apocalypse Temple firsthand?
The guild members raised hands competitively. In the end, rock-paper-scissors decided the five who came.
Everyone's overdoing it.
This was rank 1 Bulmyeol.
Some decorum and manners were in order.
Being too rowdy wasn't good.
Thinking that, Yoo Jihun gripped his paper.
...I want an autograph.
It was natural for a hunter to admire the strong. He'd come this far, drawn to Sa Choiheon's strength.
But Mumyeong was on another level.
Like idols' idol. A hunter's hunter.
Yoo Jihun's gaze turned to distant Mumyeong, who was doing something with Cheon Iryeong Hunter and the two apostles.
As Mumyeong moved, his black robe fluttered lightly.
Intimidating presence is no joke.
Even mundane actions looked cool.
In truth, a subtle aura emanated from Mumyeong. Thanks to the faint dignity gained after the death wave.
After agonizing, Yoo Jihun grabbed paper and pen and approached.
But face-to-face, he said something utterly businesslike.
"Bulmyeol will clear nearby monsters. Rest easy if you like."
Anything else, and his heart might burst.
"Nah, we're good. Gonna put up a monster-repelling barrier."
Bread Bag waved it off. He drew on the ground with mana-infused fingers.
"So, kiddo. Recreate this ritual exactly with black magic. No margin for error in your visualization."
"Ugh..."
"Can't do it? Give up."
"I'll try anyway."
A complex pattern was drawn on the ground.
He seemed to be teaching something to Cheon Iryeong Hunter. Purple light gleamed in her eyes.
"Black magic like mana through the whole body... like this..."
A few minutes passed.
Gooo—.
A circular barrier began forming around the base's perimeter. It expanded into a hemispherical dome enveloping the surroundings.
"Hoo..."
Cold sweat poured from Cheon Iryeong's body. She collapsed to the ground in exhaustion.
"Good, you're useful."
"Teach me your holy power too."
"C-can I rest a bit?"
Lucifer rose with a satisfied expression.
Lucifer was at the pinnacle of black magic.
Nothing was impossible, but the system restricted him.
It forcibly blocked feats beyond a certain level.
This method isn't bad.
He'd found a way to bypass limits through Cheon Iryeong.
Direct manifestation was hard. But conveying info like rituals had looser restrictions.
Well, no human could implement it anyway.
Even if taught, fully wielding the power would be tough.
Yet this kid Cheon Iryeong pulled it off well. She absorbed and applied unfamiliar concepts and knowledge quickly.
In a word, useful.
"Huh? What. Bulmyeol guide. Got something to say?"
Yoo Jihun stood before Lucifer.
"Uh..."
Blank expression.
Yoo Jihun was a space ability user. He could perceive the surrounding space in detail.
Since arriving on Jeju, monsters had been gathering toward them. Like smelling food.
But the moment the barrier went up, the circling monsters' movements changed.
None approached the barrier.
As if avoiding a superior predator's territory.
All monsters started detouring around it.
Low-grade ones, maybe. But these were all S-rank high-risk beasts.
And Cheon Iryeong Hunter did it...?
In a word, absolute safe zone.
With this, no need to struggle against gate-spawning hordes.
"Hm."
Lucifer's gaze went to Yoo Jihun's shocked hand. Crumpled paper and pen.
"What, you want an autograph too?"
Lucifer snatched the paper and pen, scribbled roughly, and stuffed it into Yoo Jihun's shirt pocket.
Then.
"Huh...?"
Cheon Iryeong, catching her breath, tilted her head as if remembering something.
I've seen that scene somewhere.
She pulled out the autograph she'd carefully kept.
"... "
Lucifer's signature was on the paper.
The one she'd gotten from Mumyeong last time.
It was from Bread Bag.
The tent set up by Bulmyeol was perfect.
Space magic inside made it hotel-level.
Barrier's up too.
Hunt monsters centering on the base.
Jeju was vast; full purification tough.
Aim to level up sufficiently.
"Master, ready? Let's go."
"Master, I'll protect you with everything."
I headed outside the barrier with the two apostles. Kero was tucked under Gabriel's arm.
Cheon Iryeong had passed out from mana drain after the barrier.
Something about autographs in her sleep-talk.
"Too harsh?"
"Nah, plenty of leeway. Can't be my disciple if she can't handle this."
Lucifer shrugged.
Bulmyeol guild members followed from afar.
"Let's go then."
Stepping beyond the barrier, thick miasma hit.
Grrr...
Hordes of monsters stared this way. But none approached easily.
"Clear today's quota fast."
"Bet on who kills more."
"Sounds good."
Gabriel and Lucifer charged. Explosions like bombings shook heaven and earth.
Kwagwagwa—!
Ground erupted like bombs. Monsters soared into the sky then rained down.
Your level has increased.
The lantern's soul collection speed was decent too.
Kraa—!
The small puppy instantly became a three-headed beast, slamming the ground.
Kwagwa!
Nearby monsters were shredded by sharp claws.
Kero circled me protectively.
【 Lv.132 】
【 Lv.126 】
Late 120s to early-mid 130s.
All nearby monsters neared S-rank. Varied forms: wolves, insects, rats, flame-wrapped lizards, etc.
Their movements were nothing compared to the Seven Deadly Sins.
Death aura... Would be nice to see it again.
I watched the monsters intently, just in case.
Of course, no aura visible.
Definitely a different power from before.
Ultimate Darkest Night Descent's special ability Overdrive.
For 10 seconds of effect,
I could wield death aura.
Want to practice, but ultimate cooldown's too long.
Monsters didn't even approach me. Kero tore up any that did, but
That wasn't all.
The dignity?
Perfect for self-protection.
Under Kero's guard, I watched the monster hunt. Monsters everywhere—hunting efficiency top-notch.
Your level has increased.
1.5x experience bonus applied.
My current level: 104.
2 levels in 20 minutes of hunting—not bad.
No, other hunters would freak.
A-to-S leveling was hellish endurance.
But Jeju teemed with monsters, and I soloed exp. Hard for others, easy for me.
Today's goal: 114.
Good call coming to Jeju.
Monsters poured endlessly. Too many for normal guilds.
"Mumyeong-nim!"
Bulmyeol guild members approached me. Cautiously, mindful of Kero.
Once close enough, Yoo Jihun spoke.
"Heard info from Guild Master before leaving. Interested in cooldown items?"
I nodded.
"There's a cooldown reduction item nearby."
Yoo Jihun explained calmly.
Jeju had 8 dungeons total. Untouched, they'd grown stronger.
Not all bad.
Rewards likely powered up with accumulated mana.
"How'd we know rewards in advance? Guild Master investigated."
"Our Guild Master's investigations are legendary."
"Asks around, and it all matches weirdly."
Guild members chimed in from behind.
I nodded.
Sa Choiheon was an investigation nut.
"High chance in Dungeon 7. Probably there—Guild Master's words usually are. We'll guide you."
Led by Yoo Jihun, Bulmyeol advanced. Approaching monsters were no match.
I followed leisurely under escort.
Cooldown reduction item too.
Good call accepting Bulmyeol's help.
Not far off, Lucifer and Gabriel's lights and blasts sporadically erupted.
Your level has increased.
Another level up.
Jeju conquest.
Insanely easy.
No danger as imagined.
"You probably know, but reasons we couldn't purify Jeju so far."
Yoo Jihun pointed to a distant spot with his finger.
Monster nest.
A massive sphere larger than from the death wave, embedded in the ground. Grotesque even from afar.
"Long-abandoned Jeju became a gu poison state. Monsters eat each other repeatedly, survivors compete again..."
Yoo Jihun seemed tense.
"Result: highly evolved queen appeared. Her subordinates are the hyper elites."
In a word, gone all the way.
"Association Ma-in knew, denied conquest permission hoping they'd grow stronger."
Not just difficulty—external interference too.
"But with Mumyeong-nim, it's safe..."
Explaining, Yoo Jihun froze. Trailing guild members bumped into him.
"Why?"
"Sudden stop?"
"Bathroom?"
"No, it's..."
Yoo Jihun paled.
"All nearby monsters heading this way."
"The queen?"
A guild member asked again.
"No. More like fleeing in fear. Anyway, back to base."
Drdrdr...
Faint ground vibrations spread.
Far off, a wave of pitch-black monsters surged. Behind, dust clouds like thunderheads rose.
All hunters' gazes turned to me, including Yoo Jihun's.
【 Master, monsters gone mad en masse. What? 】
【 Monsters ignoring us. 】
I messaged Lucifer and Gabriel mentally.
Both return. Sweep all monsters on the way.
【 Retreat? 】
No.
Endless monster waves. Normal guild facing dense horde head-on? Stupid.
But...
For me, good.
Herding them for me.
No reason to refuse.
Smash every monster fleeing this way.
Monster souls gathered on the lantern from my pocket. Already maxed.
Within that iridescent glow.
Souls filled to maximum.
Legend+ grade miracle manifests.
I wished.
Myth grade reward.
If not, what I needed now...
Acquired Item Cooldown Reset Ticket.
Not bad either.
Riiip—!
I tore the ticket cleanly. Shreds scattered in the wind.
The artifact activated next.
Two abilities.
One: restriction release.
Other: temporary level up.
This time, the second effect.
Activating artifact Limit Breaker.
Temporarily gain 30 levels. (10 minutes)
Black aura rose from the bracelet upon activation.
Current Level: Lv.135
I gazed at the countless monsters ahead and whispered.
"Die."
Whoosh—!
Time for a massacre.