The Proxy's Tempting Proposal
The monster birds vanished.
Incredibly simply, almost anticlimactically.
Yet no one felt empty about it. They only let out sighs of relief.
Gulp, gulp.
"Phew!"
Drek, having drained an entire water bottle in one go, collapsed onto the street.
New York's streets lay in ruins. Massive cracked billboards, roads split wide open, debris from buildings rolling everywhere.
It was a total mess, but still salvageable.
'For it to end like this is a miracle in itself.'
As world bosses and various demonic beasts appeared more frequently, humanity's restoration tech had advanced accordingly.
There were even hunters specialized in cleanup, with skills for cleaning and building repair.
Leave it to them, and the citizens would return to normal life in no time.
"The gate breaks are being suppressed smoothly too. The wildfires are dying down, and tons of hunters are volunteering to help."
Drek nodded approvingly at his comrade's words.
With the monster birds dealt with, these were minor issues.
"Hunter Mumyeong. I want to meet him in person. Any way to invite him to America?"
Drek sat up and said to his comrade.
"The government will probably offer some national-level reward for Mumyeong."
"Oh, nice. Let's open up our guild's treasure vault. Throw a grand party too. Sparring, food, the works."
"Whether Mumyeong shows up just because he's invited..."
That wasn't what his comrade was curious about. His gaze shifted to a building.
The wall of a building stained thick with the monster bird's blood.
Mumyeong had taken it down in one hit.
Utterly incomprehensible by common sense.
The bird, buffed with four layers, reduced magic and physical damage by 99%. Its defense was off the charts too.
Even if every hunter in the world piled on, you'd question if it would even get a scratch... and yet.
Mumyeong's attack had worked.
"What the hell was that? An avatar contract? Drek, you must've seen something."
"Hmm..."
Drek rubbed his chin. His whole body ached, making deep thought tough. He wasn't the analytical type anyway.
"Couldn't sense Mumyeong's energy."
Definitely felt a massive aura from the SS-rank gate.
A ranged attack? That made even less sense.
Drek shook his head, abandoning the pondering.
"Don't make my head hurt. Anyway, Mumyeong's amazing, that's for sure."
Drek grinned broadly as he stood.
"Find out if Mumyeong needs any items. We'll take them to Korea or call him over. I really want to meet him."
Meanwhile, in Japan.
Hunters, led by Japan's Rank 1 Hayato, stared in stunned silence.
"That monster... in one hit."
"Not just here, Guild Master. He took out the monster birds from five countries at once."
Gazes converged on the hunter holding the terminal.
"No way."
"It's real."
"Ha."
Hayato slumped against the wall with a hollow laugh.
The gap in dimensions was too vast.
He'd already sensed Mumyeong's extraordinary power at the SS-rank gate.
But he thought making an avatar contract would let him catch up a bit. This was beyond imagination.
"What kind of insane feat is that even possible with?"
"It's terrifying."
"Is he even human?"
His fellow hunters looked defeated. Hayato gave them a faint smile.
"Turns out the real monster was elsewhere."
"A monster worse than the birds was in Korea."
"If only there was a way to get friendly with that monster."
They'd only just cleared the first trial.
The System would keep throwing more. Crises like this would return.
"What do you mean?"
"I want to stay on good terms with Hunter Mumyeong."
The overwhelmingly superior powerhouse, Mumyeong.
Building rapport with him would be wise for the future.
"If the whole world faced crisis at once, who would Mumyeong help first?"
He'd prioritize those he felt inclined toward, right?
One comrade replied seriously.
"Help the whole world at once?"
"..."
Hayato had no retort. It seemed plausible. But what if not?
Mumyeong wasn't a god.
"From now on, it's a silent war. A battle between nations to win over Mumyeong. To gain even a sliver of favor, we need the best items ready."
Britain, Australia, India...
They were all the same.
Ready to actively court Mumyeong's favor.
Global media raced to publish articles.
Korea's Hunter Mumyeong Slays Monster Birds from 5 Countries Simultaneously
World's First SSS-rank Hunter Emerges?
Trial Breakthrough: Humanity's Strongest, Mumyeong
World Hunter Alliance: Mumyeong Equivalent to World Power...
Views: 120 Million | Likes: 3.42 Million
Views: 100 Million | Likes: 2.66 Million
Nutube reactions were explosive.
This was the moment Mumyeong's name etched itself firmly into the world.
In a massive mansion of some tycoon.
"So... Mumyeong took out all the monster birds."
Three ma-in had gathered there. Not ordinary ones.
The top-tier ma-in in charge of ruling the present world.
"Y-yes... That's right. All nations seem to have ended this trial with minimal damage."
A mid-rank demon entered the room, bowing as he spoke.
"See! I told you it was pointless!"
Top-tier ma-in Turanter's face twisted. He belonged to the moderate faction.
"The more rashly we act, the stronger Mumyeong gets. You want a hero born to threaten all of demonkind?"
Fellow moderate top-tier ma-in Montajoo nodded.
"Hmph."
Ganon, who had listened silently, snorted. Radical faction, but currently holding the initiative.
The elders had ordered him to eliminate Mumyeong "by any means necessary."
"So we just wait? Until Mumyeong grows stronger on his own?"
Ganon's eyes sharpened.
"Even your plan to ally with the Seven Deadly Sins just made Mumyeong stronger, didn't it?"
Every scheme made Mumyeong stronger.
Even doing nothing, Mumyeong grew stronger.
From the ma-in perspective, it was maddening.
Too late for three top-tier ma-in to charge Korea now.
Recently, Mumyeong had "hunted" the Seven Deadly Sins. Their auras vanished the moment they descended.
Mumyeong was beyond human.
Thus, Ganon wasn't rushing.
"Mumyeong's actions have surpassed the System's standards. Took out five birds and one egg simultaneously."
"No way..."
"Did you think I'd call hatching the birds a 'strategy'?"
Ganon smirked slyly.
"A proxy will appear."
The System's proxies.
They maintain the System's balance.
The present world is one massive game board.
Where myths and legends play, constellations bet stakes.
In such games, cheaters or overpowered entities get sanctioned.
"Proxies will restrict Mumyeong's moves. That's when demonkind strikes full force."
It was planned from the start.
Of course, didn't expect the birds to die so fast. Humanity's damage was negligible.
But that was better. Proxies would come sooner.
The moderates' gazes toward Ganon shifted.
"So there was a plan."
"Using proxies to check him. Very feasible."
Ganon stood.
"Of course, to drive in the final nail, one more step."
A key spun at his fingertip.
A demonic weapon fetched from demon realm for this op. The moderates' faces hardened at the key.
"Wait, you...!"
"Are you insane?"
"Elders approved. You lot shut up and watch."
Ganon's lips curled in a wicked smile.
If even the Seven Deadly Sins failed, summon something grander. The key's target was set.
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Humanity would witness true apocalypse.
Finally hit max level.
Congratulations. You have become an SS-rank hunter.
You have reached the maximum achievable level.
First in the present world to reach max level.
Numerous constellations celebrate your growth.
The tutorial's end raised humanity's max level too. All hunters could now reach 175.
Of course, I was first.
"Levels can't define Master's growth anyway."
"Grats on max level, Master."
Back home, the apostles congratulated me.
'This means a lot.'
Now, all regular dungeon beasts fall to Weakling Extermination. And more.
Every hunter on Earth is below my level.
Even villains or heinous criminals? Easy to handle.
'The mandatory kill part is a slight issue.'
But if they're gunning for my life, no choice. Swinging a sword means they're prepared to die.
"By the way... Sa Choiheon, why'd you follow us?"
Lucifer eyed Sa Choiheon suspiciously. He'd tailed us all the way home.
He looked a bit worn.
"High chance a proxy moves. I'll be useful."
"Master handled it legally."
"Knew that, but your Master exceeded my expectations."
Sa Choiheon perched on a nearby chair.
"Oh, and something to ask."
"What?"
"Planning tenants for this building. Bulmyeol Guild hunters first. Okay?"
Sa Choiheon paused, then continued.
"Can't collect rent if it's empty, right?"
Rent.
Very important.
The building's vacant now, save our family.
Obviously, empty means no profit.
"Handle it."
I nodded.
Wait, Bulmyeol hunters moving in?
'Sounds great?'
Powerful hunters living here? Boosts prestige, property value, higher rent.
Family safer.
And the building becomes ultra-secure.
Who'd let their home get wrecked?
"Thanks."
I said to Sa Choiheon. The robe makes my speech stiff somehow.
"I'll scout more tenants."
"How long you staying?"
"Till the proxy shows. No drinks for guests?"
Sa Choiheon ignored Lucifer's jab.
Yeah, get him a drink.
Prepped the building, decked out the house, now tenants. Sa Choiheon was more than a guest.
"Tch, here."
"Thanks."
At my glare, Lucifer grudgingly fetched orange juice from the fridge.
Rewards being tallied.
System window unchanged.
Numerous constellations protest to the System.
Constellation 'Fierce Flame' vents frustration.
Constellation 'Otherworld Discipline' furrows brow.
Constellations clamored for rewards. Wonder if it works.
That very moment.
Zzt, zzzt—!
Intense sparks erupted from the system window.
'It... works?'
This clear's rating: Unmeasurable (Unknown)
System detects overload.
Like the death wave clear. Unmeasurable then too.
But this felt different.
Zzt, zzzt—!
The "Unmeasurable" glitched and peeled away.
"Phase start lifted the System's grade cap."
Lucifer explained helpfully.
And what emerged was.
This clear's rating: 【 Apocalypse 】
Unique, Legend, Myth, and...
"Apocalypse."
A new grade above Myth+.
Messages continued.
This reward risks collapsing present world's balance.
Chaos-aligned constellations go wild.
Order-aligned constellations express concern.
Constellations in uproar.
Constellation 'Otherworld Discipline' cheers.
Constellation 'King of the Underworld' watches closely.
Constellation 'Master of the Black Star' full of anticipation.
...
Constellation 'Fierce Flame' anticipates apostle summons.
Messages flooded in; screen cluttered. I shoved the annoying ones aside.
Lucifer frowned.
"What're they dangling to hype it this much?"
"Apocalypse-grade means breezing through post-Phase 1 trials."
Sa Choiheon watched with interest.
Then, a new message.
System proposes to player Mumyeong.
Acknowledging this sequence's gravity, dispatching proxy.
"What? A real proxy?"
Lucifer narrowed his eyes.
Sa Choiheon stood, gripping his scabbard.
"Mumyeong, proxies aren't enemies. No reward for killing."
Then why hold the sword?
"Like GMs in a game. They called a GM."
Gabriel looked oddly excited.
Zzt, zzzt—!
Red sparks swirled in the air. Space fractured like a hologram, splitting open.
From the pitch-black rift, someone emerged.
Ta-at.
A girl landed lightly.
Black cloth over her eyes, long golden hair trailing—somehow familiar.
"Star of Prophets..?"
Felt like it, but I'd never seen leader Elise Grainzer's bare face. Atmosphere matched, though.
Zzt, zzzt.
Space around her flickered blurry then sharp repeatedly.
"Proxy in Phase 1? Original."
Sa Choiheon muttered, hand still on scabbard.
"..."
The proxy's lips moved silently. Her will manifested as system message.
Proxy (Alpha) re-proposes rewards.
Acquire Apocalypse-grade reward → Clear SSS-rank Gate (Instance) solo
Acquire multiple Myth+ rewards → Status quo
My eyes narrowed at the window.
Apocalypse reward requires solo SSS-gate. Felt like a veiled threat: Can you handle it?
Scared? Take Myth+ instead.
Blackmail vibe.
"SSS-rank gate, what level?"
"250."
I glanced back at the system.
SSS-gate beasts would have high soul quality. Massive EXP, top-tier magistones. Good drops maybe.
I pondered if I missed anything. Conclusion same.
'...Isn't this a steal?'