The Black Apostle Awakens

Shaaaa—!

The structure was almost identical to last time.

No new constellations had joined. No idea why. Maybe there's some kind of rule.

Experience points were sweet, regardless.

E-rank hunter in just two days.

I'd heard some people spend years trying to escape F-rank. To think I'd hit it this easily.

······No more worrying about being a porter, at least.

If there was any disappointment, it was the lack of something like the Annihilation Sword this time.

Can't be helped.

I'd secretly hoped for usable gear. Even if it was hard to sell right away, I could've equipped it.

Smacking my lips, I picked up the golden ticket from the floor.

Of course, this isn't bad either.

Skill acquisition tickets were hard to come by, and Legend-grade ones were astronomically valuable.

Even top rankers desperately wanted them.

But I decided to use it right away.

If I needed another, I could just hunt another world boss in 44 days.

Besides, I was curious.

······What skill will it be this time?

What ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠would come after Weakling Extermination?

Instant Death. Instant Death: Weakling Extermination.

Those were my current skills. The odds favored something with a similar effect.

Riiip!

I tore the ticket without hesitation. Legend-grade—whatever came out would be fine.

Shaaaa—!

The message floated up amid bright light. Frowning, I checked the skill details.

Apostle summon······?

A completely unfamiliar term. The description was just as curt.

Didn't seem related to Instant Death.

"What's the big deal······."

The one constellation present seemed extremely shocked. Could just be overreacting for reactions.

Asking why won't get a straight answer anyway.

Constellation messages seemed restricted in expression.

They used system-designated words or conveyed emotions—that was their communication style.

Does it want to explain that badly?

It had explained the instance gate fine. But that was basic system stuff.

Probably a different situation now.

So the answer was clear.

Tap, tap.

Smartphone search immediately.

Hmm······.

Not much came up. Internet info had its limits, as expected.

Blindsiding a summon feels risky.

Let's gather a bit more info first.

Of course it's a color.

The Black Imugi from last time was an example. A beast clad in black—fierce and powerful.

Ding!

Crazy.

Cut off right there. At the most crucial part. Did the poster plan this?

"······."

The perk and downside of hunter communities: hanging coin prices on useful info.

10,000 coins was steep. Coins were worth about 100 times regular currency.

10,000 coins equaled a million won.

I had 1,965,000 coins now—about 196 million won.

······Too curious. Just pay it.

I'd earn more coins later. World bosses gave a million each.

Power doubled, in short. Impressive modifiers.

Constellation verified it too—no doubt now.

Damn, my million won.

Still felt expensive no matter how I thought about it. Hunters must be loaded enough not to care.

Tsk.

Next up: what was an "apostle"?

No info in the awakener community either.

Apostles serve gods? Devote themselves to holy causes? Something like that.

I've investigated enough. Time to test it.

Worst case, no loss. What could go wrong? At most, summon a pet.

I stood up in my room.

Basement studio apartment. Plenty of space.

I shouted.

"Apostle Summon."

The activation message appeared.

"······."

And that was it.

Nothing changed. Just me standing blankly in the studio. A pathetic sight.

Why were all my skills like this?

"Did it fizzle······?"

Skill misfire? Was that even possible?

As I stood there dazed—

Boom! Rumble!

A massive noise erupted outside.

"Wha—scared me."

I naturally approached the window. Couldn't see the sky—basement level.

Drip, drip······.

Rain falling on the street. Light at first, then pouring like a downpour.

Shaaaa—!

Rain hammered wildly.

Crack! Boom!

Thunder and lightning alternated. No time to gawk.

"Aigoo."

I hurriedly shut the window. Leaving it open in this would flood the place.

Tatata—!

Rain battered the closed window ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠furiously.

I frantically checked today's weather report.

0% chance of rain. Clear skies.

Dazed, I stared at the window.

"Did I do that······?"

For real?

In the heart of the street where world boss Hellhound had been slain.

"Mumyeong again?"

"Told you, one-shot on the world boss."

"Mumyeong's still around here, right?"

Numerous guilds lingered, unwilling to leave.

Even after Hellhound's death and the contribution rankings appeared.

All hunters had seen it with their own eyes.

The two characters etched in first place.

Mumyeong.

Just like yesterday's Black Imugi.

Hard to believe even seeing it.

The world boss Hellhound had evaporated on the spot.

More precisely, shattered without a trace.

"Search the area now! Finding Mumyeong is a goldmine."

"If we recruit him to our guild······."

"The world boss evaporated, I tell you?!"

Chaos amid everyone's agendas.

"Hey, shouldn't we head out too? Seems wrapped up."

Rank 2 Chae Arin spoke to Sa Choiheon.

"······."

Sa Choiheon didn't respond.

"Sigh, like talking to a wall."

Chae Arin sighed and turned away.

"More than that, the next world boss is the issue. Already this strong—how much worse will the next be? Hope Mumyeong handles it."

She walked off, muttering ambiguously.

Regressor Sa Choiheon stood transfixed, ignoring Chae Arin.

Unbelievable.

Sa Choiheon had waited for Mumyeong to appear.

Hoped to at least glimpse his face. Or gauge his power.

But no. Not even close.

Sa Choiheon couldn't measure his strength at all.

Overwhelming power impossible at this stage.

This world had reset countless times. Sa Choiheon had fought innumerable battles, eyed countless powerhouses.

But this Mumyeong was on another level.

Couldn't sense presence, let alone existence. Effortless miracle beyond wondrous.

Even if I'm not at full strength······.

Sa Choiheon had been stunned.

If Mumyeong targeted him? Dead without a chance. No resistance.

But why appear now?

That was the real mystery.

Through repeated regressions, Sa Choiheon had never encountered Mumyeong.

This absurd power was a first.

Pondering, Sa Choiheon reached a conclusion.

······Another regressor?

The thought flashed, then dismissed.

No, impossible.

Regression was his unique skill.

One-of-a-kind power no one else possessed.

Then how was Mumyeong so strong? After brief thought, Sa Choiheon decided.

I must meet him personally.

Ads, info guilds—whatever it took, find him.

Mumyeong.

Enemy of humanity? Or future ally?

Had to know.

As Sa Choiheon moved to leave—

Rumble—!

A sky-shaking roar echoed. Clear skies darkened rapidly.

"······?"

Sa Choiheon looked up.

Vast demonic energy gathered over Seoul. Swirling vortex of magi.

Shaaaa—!

Torrential rain poured. Amid the thunderheads blanketing the sky, Sa Choiheon clearly saw it.

"What······."

Crack!

Black lightning striking an unnamed mountain.

I put up an umbrella and stepped outside.

Rain fierce, sky pitch black. Midday felt like night.

Had to go anyway.

Need to register as a hunter today.

Bank balance hit zero. Savings from part-time gigs gone.

Sell magistones for cash.

Had magistones worth 800,000 won total. From clearing F-rank instance gates.

Fine to sell as-is, but hunter registration offered tax breaks.

No living expenses—gotta save where I could.

No way they'll peg me as Mumyeong.

Researched registration process beforehand.

No nickname checks. Just rank verification.

Skills unviewable unless disclosed.

No evidence linking current E-rank me to Mumyeong.

Unless a prophet or seer—not from basic association registration.

So, off to the association.

App showed public transit running smoothly.

Two world bosses back-to-back, but second cleared fast.

Best to start when resolved.

Rain might not stop anytime.

What the hell with Apostle Summon?

Constellation reaction suggested success. Should've come to me if summoned, right?

Not some massive monster, is it?

Would be news by now if so.

Weather-altering power was impressive, but downpour sucked for going out.

Eh, it'll be fine.

Searched out of unease—summons are loyal to summoners.

No big issues.

Bus to the association.

Two buildings: registration office and HQ.

HQ swarmed. Rain poncho-clad flashes nonstop.

Reporters.

"Any leads on Mumyeong Hunter's whereabouts?"

"Association stance on consecutive world boss appearances······."

"Thoughts on surpassing Sa Choiheon Hunter······."

Some association bigwig responding.

Luckily, my building was opposite. Skirted the reporters.

Feels prickly.

Was Mumyeong's identity that crucial?

Swarming reporters killed any reveal urge. Exhausting just watching.

Fame wasn't all great. Constant recognition, autographs, photos······.

Ignore them? Labeled rude, memed forever.

Some love it. Not me.

Want anonymity, big money. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Ideal.

Mumyeong nickname reveal? Tolerable.

Entered the opposite building.

Hunter Registration Office. Quiet compared to others.

Staff greeted with kind smile.

"Welcome. Here for registration?"

"Yes, want to register. ID here."

"Please place hand on this measuring device."

Followed instructions—flash of light.

Some machine. Occasionally uncovers hidden powers.

Rumors said guild reps sat in back, scouting talent for big guilds.

······Hope nothing happens.

Beep.

Results on monitor—staff's eyes changed.

"Results are······."

Tense moment.

No Instant Death leak worry. Researched thoroughly.

Hidden power I don't know? Absurd.

"Rank is······."

As I focused on her words—

Flash!

Vision flashed, scene shifted.

"?!"

From registration office interior to a mountain landscape.

Whoosh—!

Torrential rain on a mountain peak. Fierce winds shook trees, eroded soil.

A human there exuded menacing aura.

Wh-what······.

Sharing vision? Seeing through the apostle's eyes?

Then an imposing voice rang out. Familiar somehow.

"······Reveal yourself."

I recognized him instantly. Huge celebrity.

That guy's······.

Korea's Rank 1.

Sa Choiheon Hunter.

Why was a star like him here?

"Fail to reveal yourself, and I'll kill you here."

Sa Choiheon gripped his sword with resolute expression. Destructive energy overflowed from him.

Poised to swing and erase the foe before him.

Wa-wait.

The target of that warning······.

Was none other than the apostle I'd summoned.