Monster Rain and the Third Apostle
Fwoosh—!
Centered on Joo Kanghyeok, everything within a 200-meter radius.
The wave of monsters charging in like they were being hunted shattered into pieces. Red blood and chunks of monster flesh sprayed in every direction.
The few high-level monsters that survived his touch became Cerberus's prey, spilling their blood.
Grrraaah!
Kraaaah!
The monsters didn't care about their comrades' deaths and kept charging. They were shoving their heads into the jaws of death just to survive.
They were even ignoring Joo Kanghyeok's overwhelming presence, consumed by fear.
'The monsters definitely feel like they're being chased by something.'
Even as he thought that, Joo Kanghyeok didn't take his eyes off the front.
Kwaaang—.
The moment they reached the 200-meter boundary, the monsters were mercilessly shredded beyond it.
"At this distance, straight-up slaughter. Came here for the right call."
"What principle is this? Not magic, not physical force..."
"That's the fifth time you've said that. Just watch."
The Bulmyeol guild members whispered among themselves. Yet they focused intently on Mumyeong, not wanting to miss a second.
Joo Kanghyeok stepped forward.
"Ah, Dungeon 7 is straight ahead from here."
Yoo Jihun snapped out of his daze and explained. He didn't show it, but he was more moved than anyone.
How many hunts and clears had it taken for Bulmyeol to claim the number one spot?
They'd done mobbing hunts before, taken down hordes of monsters.
But this scene? Unprecedented.
'Even the guild master couldn't do this.'
It was on a whole different level from Sa Choiheon.
Of course, Guild Master Sa Choiheon was incredible. Worthy of respect. That's why he'd joined Bulmyeol—drawn by that power.
But Mumyeong had something else, something beyond Sa Choiheon.
This spectacle unfolding before his eyes...
It was overwhelming.
Who in this world, what hunter, could create such a sight?
"Hey, Yoo Jihun. Snap out of it. You're drooling."
"Sniiff, don't talk to me. I'm having a moment. Gotta get his signature before the clear ends."
"Bet you won't—ten million won."
At that moment, the two apostles returned from the sky.
'Did Master level up with an artifact?'
Lucifer, bread bag over his head, raised an eyebrow.
In the endless stream of monsters.
They were parting like the Red Sea.
Even to Lucifer, it was quite the spectacle.
"Master, we're back."
"Picked up a ton of magistones."
Gabriel held a bulging subspace pouch. Mumyeong nodded lightly.
Kwaaang—!
He couldn't tear his eyes from the front. Monsters were swarming like mad.
"I'll help too."
"I'll provide support as well."
The two apostles landed on either side of Mumyeong.
"...Ki gong pa."
Pew—! Boom!
Gabriel's holy power shot out like a mana bullet. A light explosion erupted on impact, melting the monsters.
"How's that? My new technique?"
Gabriel asked with a proud smile.
"You just fired a lump of holy power."
Lucifer immediately unleashed his magic beam. It swept up to areas beyond Mumyeong's range.
'The base barrier's holding steady.'
Lucifer glanced back. The base's barrier was functioning well. It seemed intact.
He turned his gaze back to his master.
Couldn't see the expression under the robe, but he could read the master's aura to some extent.
'Master is... composed.'
No wavering.
Honestly, he'd been a bit worried.
The battle with Pride was just yesterday. The first time Master had faced a real threat.
Joo Kanghyeok had nearly died.
Yet not a hint of agitation.
As if it were already forgotten.
'Mentally tough, I guess.'
Partly thanks to the mental skill Mind of the Victor.
But that wasn't all.
Be it Belial, the death wave, or the Apocalypse Temple.
Especially against the apostles of the end.
Master had said he was flustered...
'Didn't look it.'
Not to Lucifer's eyes.
When facing Pride, Master's aura had been serene.
Now too, Master was deeply focused, smashing the oncoming monsters without a moment's lapse.
'...I'm the weak link.'
Lucifer gritted his teeth.
If he and Gabriel had beaten Pride, Master wouldn't have needed to step in.
The cause? System restrictions.
His output was nerfed. Lucifer clicked his tongue.
'If I had my dedicated gear, I'd have one-shot that Pride punk.'
Joo Kanghyeok's current gear shards:
Black dedicated gear shards: 2.
White dedicated gear shards: 1.
Needed 5 to complete. Still a ways off.
Once complete, immense power and an ultimate would be his.
'...'
Lucifer shook his head.
'No, can't rely on Master.'
Mythic enhancement stones or apocalypse fragments might lift restrictions further.
But waiting for Master to provide? No.
His loyalty wouldn't allow it.
'Find ways to draw more power within limits. Exploits, workarounds, whatever.'
To protect Master more safely.
Kwaaang!
Black magic erupted fiercer from Lucifer's hand. No real power gain, of course. Had to try various methods.
While Lucifer pondered deeply,
Mumyeong—Joo Kanghyeok—was lost in his own thoughts.
Level rises.
Level rises.
...And more.
Level rises.
Levels rising rapidly.
He swept through the monsters without stopping his thoughts.
'Ultimate's special effect: Overdrive. Lets you see invisible auras, right?'
Death aura.
Might be present even now.
Just invisible.
'Then...'
Maybe he could spot it?
Joo Kanghyeok narrowed his eyes and focused.
Swish.
A faint aura brushed his vision, then vanished.
Kept trying, same result.
'Feels like I get it... but don't.'
Skills and techniques complement each other.
If a hunter gains swordsmanship insight, it's rewarded as a skill.
Like Cheon Iryeong learning Lucifer's black magic—technique becomes skill.
Conversely, skill books or acquisition tickets let hunters master techniques naturally.
Why high-grade acquisition tickets are valuable.
Even without ever holding a weapon, one skill makes you a master.
'Maybe with effort...'
Can seeing death aura be trained?
Unknown.
Only he had Instant Death.
He had to find his own path, his own growth.
Level rises.
Level rises.
Level rises.
Levels climbing steeply.
Thanks to the monster horde, hunting efficiency was maxed.
No gate or labyrinth in Korea could match this mobbing.
Lucifer, Gabriel, and Cerberus endlessly hunting monsters.
1.5x experience bonus applied.
System EXP buffs made the leveling absurd.
After Limit Breaker ended, he left the front to Lucifer and Gabriel.
Daily max level rise reached.
Current Level: Lv. 117
Levels hit the daily cap fast.
'Today's leveling done.'
A smile tugged at Joo Kanghyeok's lips as he checked the messages.
Just 13 levels to S-rank.
'Levels are the foundation of stats.'
Each level boosts all stats slightly.
Physical and mental abilities inevitably improve.
'Tracking the monsters' movements is way easier now.'
For him, who just needed to see to kill, it was solid growth.
Lv. 102 to 117.
Over 10% stronger by numbers alone.
The trailing Bulmyeol members split off to clear monsters. Precious EXP for them too.
Though paltry compared to Mumyeong and the apostles.
"We're not helping much."
"At least grabbing magistones good?"
"Jihun's sweeping with space magic."
"Feels off, but..."
"I'd come a hundred times for clears like this."
The Bulmyeol members stuck close behind Mumyeong. Then one pointed at the soul lantern.
"Mumyeong-nim. The lantern's glowing."
The lantern at his waist brimmed with soul light.
Holy Relic+ grade Pure Soul Lantern.
Better effects, but needed more soul points.
At least one world boss soul.
Or hordes of monster souls.
On arrival at Jeju, it was nearly full from Apocalypse Temple souls.
Second miracle took longer.
Still decent speed.
Joo Kanghyeok lifted the lantern.
'Full?'
Souls filled to maximum.
Legend+ grade miracle manifests.
Shaaah—.
Dazzling light poured from within.
Probably a unique skill reset ticket.
As he thought that.
Crackle, fizz—!
Red sparks danced over the pure white light.
Low probability: Myth grade reward appears.
【Myth】 Skill Acquisition Ticket
A pitch-black ticket materialized before Joo Kanghyeok.
"... "
He'd expected it eventually.
But this soon?
Jackpot.
Joo Kanghyeok grabbed the ticket.
"Wh-what is it?"
"Better not ask."
"Monsters incoming!"
Lucifer and Gabriel tactfully shielded his view with their wings. The Bulmyeol members only saw the lantern light.
"Use it freely."
"New skill. Exciting."
The two apostles started clearing the swarming monsters in his place.
'Myth grade.'
A skill acquisition ticket too.
Maybe because he'd been pondering skills.
As Joo Kanghyeok went to tear it.
Kwaaaang—!
A deafening sonic boom tore through.
"...!"
He looked up. Far off, massive dust erupted like an explosion.
Kwaaaah—!
The dust surged like a tsunami. Aftermath of an unidentified blast.
"Master, I'll protect you."
"Behind the wings."
Lucifer and Gabriel spread their wings wide, shielding Joo Kanghyeok. Fierce sandstorm swept the area.
Protected, but the wind still howled.
Robe flaps whipped wildly.
Hard to breathe.
"Grrr..."
Even Cerberus clung to the ground with effort. Bulmyeol members casually deployed barriers, used to sudden disasters.
Shhh...
As the storm died and wings folded.
A bizarre sight filled Joo Kanghyeok's vision.
"...!"
Far from here.
Countless black dots floated in the air.
No, not dots.
Each was a monster.
Before Joo Kanghyeok could speak.
The airborne monsters plummeted against gravity. Like a downpour.
Monster rain began.
Fwoosh—! Thud! Splatter! Splatter!
Wingless monsters burst on impact. Their blood formed shallow waves.
Crashing sounds echoed across Jeju endlessly. Eerie to the bone.
"Queen?"
Gabriel's question made Yoo Jihun wave his hands in disbelief from behind.
"No, no. What queen? Not like an apostle of the end..."
"No unknown monster on Jeju, impossible otherwise."
"Right toward Dungeon 7..."
Yoo Jihun swallowed hard, looking to Mumyeong.
"What'll you do?"
Then, Lucifer's eyes narrowed, scanning the blast origin.
"That thing over there—human."
Thanks to enhanced aura detection at Legend+.
But a human on Jeju? Unfathomable.
Chilling, even.
"Ah, wait!"
Yoo Jihun raised his smartphone.
"Guild master said contact immediately if anything weird. This qualifies, right? Calling now."
Why Bulmyeol members were sent here.
As Yoo Jihun called, Lucifer took to the sky.
"I'll check quick."
Lucifer glided swiftly to the blast site. Soon, telepathy came.
> It's really a human. But...
Another sonic boom.
> Ngh, what power!
No more telepathy. Only destruction-like roars.
"... "
No time for telepathy—meant fierce combat.
"Master, think I should join."
Joo Kanghyeok nodded to Gabriel.
No monsters left here anyway.
All swept opposite.
Kwaang—!
Gabriel kicked off and flew.
Joo Kanghyeok quickened to a run. Bulmyeol members followed.
His brows furrowed.
'Really human? Then why alone on Jeju?'
Mistaking Lucifer for enemy?
Then, shouts from behind.
"Mumyeong-nim!"
"We know who it is!"
"Returner, looks like!"
Yoo Jihun, checking his phone, called to Mumyeong.
Returner.
Familiar term.
"Fell into another dimension... suffered, came back. Heard of 'em, right?!"
He had. Missing people spending decades elsewhere, returning.
A few famous overseas.
But just survivors. TV stories at most.
None returned this monstrous.
"Guild master's message: pilgrim of at least 10 dimensions! World's first!"
Kwaaaang—!
Thunderous boom ahead. Air tingled, hairs stood.
Returner? Manageable.
Korean? Could talk.
Persuade right...
"Issue: wandered dimensions so long, may not communicate!"
Yoo Jihun shouted late.
Damn.
They investigated that too?
Wanted to ask, held back.
Members looked trusting.
No choice.
Riiip—!
Joo Kanghyeok tore the ticket without hesitation.
Had to prepare for no-talk scenario.
Myth grade skill acquisition ticket used.
Intense black aura surged from the tear.
It seeped into his body.
Hopefully useful skill. Better if non-lethal resolution possible.
Not confirmed enemy yet.
In that wish, the skill emerged...
True Blue: Apostle Summon
The skill to call the third apostle.