Black Apostle Lucifer

Through the shared vision with his apostle, something utterly insane was unfolding.

"State your true name. This is your final warning."

Sa Choiheon stood there, drenched in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the pouring rain. Murderous intent overflowed from his eyes.

I could roughly guess what was happening.

Did he mistake my summoned apostle for a mana beast?

What the hell should I do now?

Then—

A voice echoed directly in my head.

"No, crazy. Kill what? Who the hell do you kill..."

The number one ranked hunter in Korea?

Is that even possible?

Even the constellations were cheering him on.

Kill him? Are you nuts?

Absolutely not.

My immediate goal was to quietly level up. I had no intention of stirring up unnecessary trouble.

Besides, Sa Choiheon was Korea's guardian hero. Hurting him would be a national loss, and I'd be branded a traitor on the spot.

"...You're the summon I called, right?"

Good at jokes, huh.

"Return for now. Come back home."

Yeah, figures.

He's rank one, after all.

He's probably loaded with hidden pieces and top-tier gear.

But what, beat him and steal it...?

I stated firmly.

"Return. No exceptions."

Servants?

He must mean the staff in the building.

What nonsense.

"No, no. This can't be home."

No matter what you look like,

coming and going here would cause a huge scene.

"You know what an address is?"

Even funnier that a guy who knows that calls them servants.

Right in the middle of our conversation,

Sa Choiheon attacked.

Through the shared vision, I saw a flash of light.

Boom! Rumble!

Something massive was happening, but I couldn't make sense of it even watching.

The apostle seemed unscathed.

If anything, Sa Choiheon's aura grew even more ferocious.

"Or maybe cancel the summon..."

"..."

Nothing to be done then.

I quickly rattled off my home address.

Message? What message?

I'd never even met Sa Choiheon Hunter in person. Only seen him on TV.

Just don't cause trouble and get back quick.

Wh-what? That last scream sounded like he took a hard hit. Hope he's okay?

Rumble—!

Powerful whooshes and thunderclaps alternated outside the building. Even the people inside peeked out.

The registration clerk asked worriedly.

"A-are you okay?"

"Pardon?"

"You just stood there blankly for a while..."

"...I'm fine."

Stood there blankly?

Phew.

Lucky break.

At least I didn't look like some lunatic talking to thin air.

My head hurts for no reason.

Shouldn't have summoned the apostle?

No. Don't think about it now.

"Anyway."

I calmly looked up and said.

Forget the purpose of coming here.

"Is the registration done?"

"Ah, yes. All finished."

The clerk smiled and handed me my hunter registration card.

"It's E-rank. Starting at E-rank right after awakening is pretty lucky."

"Thanks."

I took the card with an awkward smile.

Probably E-rank because my level went up.

No hidden powers or anything.

A relief, I guess.

Sold the mana stones and pocketed 820,000 won.

After taxes, that is.

This much from a single F-rank gate.

Solo clear made it possible. Normally, it'd be split among the party, so my share would be smaller.

Still, great return for the effort.

Hunter life ain't bad.

But that's not the issue.

"Ah, you're back."

Coming home, there was a drenched man. Soaked through from the rain, water dripped from his body.

Swish swish.

He was diligently mopping up his own puddles with a rag. Damn good at it, too.

Looks early 20s.

Black hair, red eyes.

Black leather outfit.

Most striking: black wings on his back.

That's all the info that popped up.

"Didn't Sa Choiheon Hunter get you?"

That final scream was still ringing in my ears.

"Oh, that? Just a mosquito bite. Annoying how he kept chasing, but I shook him off. More importantly..."

Lucifer rolled his shoulders.

Scanning the room, he said with an innocent face.

"This place is cramped. Is this where Master's pet dog lives?"

"No, it's my house."

"...My apologies."

It's my place, humble as it is.

Grown attached over the years.

I'll move out as soon as I get money.

Lucifer suddenly clenched his fists and shook his head.

"Making my Master live in this tiny studio... The humans of this world... Unacceptable. Let's wipe them out."

What the hell.

Talking to himself like he's playing all the instruments.

I narrowed my eyes and asked.

"Anyway, you're my summon, right?"

"Yes, but I'm not your average summon. I'm an apostle."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"An extremely powerful kind of summon. Hmm, that's all I can explain for now."

"Already have constellations following you? As expected of my Master."

"..."

Looks like he sees the system messages too. Lucifer's gaze drifted to the ramen packet in the kitchen.

"Can I eat this? Interesting shape."

That's yesterday's trash...

Didn't you say you came with basic knowledge? Did Sa Choiheon knock something loose?

Hmm.

Anyway, unexpected.

Now I have to provide room and board.

Didn't expect to feed a summon too.

Maybe my skill's downside is the food bill.

"Guess I need to buy food."

"Ah, leave errands to me. Just get ingredients from the mart, right?"

"Not sure I trust you... And you'd cause a riot looking like that."

Plus those black wings sprouting from his back.

Go out like that, and he'd be hunted as a monster.

"Appearance changes are simple."

Black light rippled, and the wings vanished. He suppressed the dark aura, looking human now.

"I'll share vision once at the mart. Be back soon."

Grocery shopping?

Surprisingly convenient.

While Lucifer shopped, I lounged watching TV. Chatter about Mumyeong's identity everywhere.

Mostly analysis shows.

All missing the mark, of course.

Famous Hunter A is Mumyeong,

or he's Korea's secret weapon...

Told Lucifer to grab ramen and pork belly too.

"Back! Got the receipt."

"Already?"

"Piece of cake."

A bit worried, but he nailed it.

Sizzle—.

Grilling the pork belly Lucifer bought, boiling ramen—pure bliss.

"Oh, delicious."

"Yeah, eat up."

Feast after ages. Money earned through sweat(?) feels good.

Lucifer stood with a satisfied smile after eating.

"Man, that hit the spot. Mortal realm food is the best."

"Mortal realm?"

"Yes, that's what we call this world. I'm from another dimension."

Anyone could tell.

"I'll handle cleanup."

Lucifer tied on an apron he bought on his own. Slipped on rubber gloves.

Scrub scrub.

Quickly cleared the dishes. Perfect washing.

Wiped pork grease with paper for regular trash, used just enough detergent—spotless.

Dishes gleamed.

So... convenient.

Feels like I got a live-in maid. Overkill for a basement studio, but.

Undeniably comfy.

Swish.

Lucifer naturally grabbed broom and dustpan for room cleaning. Neatly folded scattered blankets.

"Lemme help with..."

"No, it's fine. I want to do it."

Even mopped the floor meticulously.

Shine.

The messy studio transformed into a clean haven.

Wow, no joke.

Finished, Lucifer set aside the apron and approached.

"Now that you're fed and the place is clean, may I show you my abilities?"

"Ah."

I snapped out of my daze from his cleaning prowess.

"Sure thing."

Honestly curious.

How strong to change clear weather just by summoning?

"Can you open an E-rank instance gate?"

Easy request.

If Lucifer's strong, life gets easier.

Weakling Extermination's flaw: only kills below my level.

I'm level 20. Fresh E-rank.

E-rank gate mana beasts are all over 20. No way to handle higher levels...

None.

Swinging the Oblivion Sword might work, but.

Never trained with swords—would it even land?

But now I have a summon.

Someone to fight for me.

"Open instance gate."

"Not gonna say solo-only means you can't enter, right?"

"Of course not. I'm not counted as human."

Lucifer strode confidently into the gate. I followed.

Both entered without issue.

Beast stench hit immediately upon entry.

Grrr—.

Gnolls: hyena-headed dwarves. Bigger and fiercer than goblins.

Kreeek!

One burst from the bushes.

Level 24. Four above me. Weakling Extermination won't work.

Crack.

Lucifer cracked his knuckles and stepped forward.

"Master, just watch. I'll handle everything."

Whoosh!

Black wings sprouted. He kicked off, gliding leisurely in the air.

Black mana gathered in one hand.

Thud thud thud—!

Black mana rained like bombardment.

Kreek! Kreeek!

Gnolls in the bushes fled in panic. No way to fight back.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Boom!

Some threw stones or weapons—useless.

Their gear couldn't touch airborne Lucifer.

Kreeeek!

One-sided slaughter. Lucifer flew casually, picking them off.

How strong is he?

E-rank beasts utterly dominated.

Boom, rumble—!

Normally needs five E-rank hunters for this. Laughable.

Yawning while farming. Actually yawning.

Could he really beat Sa Choiheon?

No way. That'd break balance.

An E-rank hunter's summon beating S-rank?

Though Lucifer's power was no joke.

Roooar—!

Magi from Lucifer's hand sliced the ground like a laser. Shared vision showed the battlefield clearly.

Gnoll Chieftain dead.

Cheat.

And Lucifer wasn't just brute force.

Vision sharing possible.

Could be super useful.

Like scouting enemies from air, then Instant Death.

Clear complete.

Legend rank, like the last F-rank.

"How's that? My skills. Useful, right?"

"Way too impressive."

Sincere.

Feels like he barely tried a fraction.

Turned the E-rank gate to rubble.

"Glad you approve. Give me tougher foes anytime. I'll crush them all."

Wonder what the rewards are.

"Oh."

Unique skill reset like before.

Nice.

Instant Death has endless uses.

More resets, the better.

Other reward: a rune.

Black stone etched with golden runes.

Use for specified effect.

"Cooldown reduction rune, huh."

Big win.

Shortens Instant Death cooldown.

How much? Gotta test.

44 days was too long anyway.

Even shortened, not huge change yet.

Stack runes later...

Could slash cooldown massively.

Once a week? Still OP ultimate.

"Great item. Use now?"

"Obviously."

I used the rune immediately.