The Emissary's Proof

A full moon hung bright in the night sky.

A humid fog blanketed the container yard thickly.

Her cold voice echoed through the air.

"So. Nothing unusual?"

"Yes. No traces in the area."

Muscle monsters, mourning women, blind swordsmen. None of the guild members had tracked down any unregistered activity in the Seoul area.

"......"

She hadn't expected to find him easily once his activities stretched to Busan and Gwangju.

"Go."

- Whoosh. Whoosh.

After sending her subordinates away, she propped her chin on her hand and sank into thought for a moment.

'This guy's not even going to the convenience store in front of his house.'

Was he really not going anywhere at all? Or were we just not skilled enough compared to him? Or was our search direction completely off?

In the end, she rose from her seat,

- Shaaa...

and dissolved into red mist, vanishing without a trace.

At that moment,

- Clack.

A hunter guarding the World Tower's first-floor entrance raised his scabbard to block a woman.

"You can't approach. State your identity. H-huh...?"

The moment their eyes met, he broke into a cold sweat and stepped back.

The senior hunter watching the scene approached and bowed his head.

"My apologies. Guild Master of Hongmaehwa. We'll escort you inside."

Seol glanced up at the top of the World Tower without responding.

The senior hunter, gauging the mood, pulled his junior aside and scolded him.

"Why are you being so clueless? Didn't you know who she was?"

"I... didn't..."

Among hunters, Hongmaehwa was an ally but an object of fear. Assassin-type, and the guild master's combat style was particularly brutal.

Her everyday ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠killing intent made even the junior's breathing ragged.

"......"

Ignoring the frozen atmosphere, Seol

- Shaaa.

vanished right before their eyes. All that remained was red-tinged smoke, which soon dissipated.

<World Tower – Top Floor>

"It's real. And dark."

"......You've come."

Cartibes's cathedral.

Cheon Seung-hyuk greeted Seol.

Due to the faint blood scent wafting from her, Cheon Seung-hyuk had to subtly furrow his brow.

"Request for Apostle Tobel's subjugation. Thank you for responding."

"......"

Not replying to Cheon Seung-hyuk's greeting, Seol glanced around casually and said,

"I can't see anything either."

"Is that so? I thought you might."

Seol wandered the dim cathedral, feeling the black mana with her hand. A prickling dampness lingered at her fingertips.

It wasn't some obstructing foreign substance blocking her vision—it felt like the darkness itself filled the cathedral completely. Almost cozy.

"Like amniotic fluid in a womb."

"Amniotic fluid?"

"I want to check the egg's status. But it probably isn't an egg anymore."

Cheon Seung-hyuk asked the smirking Seol,

"We can't get close. The barrier is fluctuating. Even Yoon So-i might need to take down Eteron to know the results."

"How long?"

"No idea."

Seol sighed and headed out of the cathedral, interest waning.

"I'm not here for that anyway. You know something about the unregistered, right? Spill."

"......"

Cheon Seung-hyuk fell silent for a moment. He knew she was interested in the unregistered, but he had no info to share.

"You don't know either?"

"You'll find out soon."

"How?"

"The Management Bureau is working on it. Planning indirect contact somehow. They said they'll try properly in this news broadcast."

"Lame."

Her voice dripped with disappointment. Sounded like another Kim Chun-gyu-style reckless charge. Surprisingly effective sometimes, but not her style.

"Sigh."

Seol brushed past Cheon Seung-hyuk.

Due to the cathedral's darkness and her silent movements, even Cheon Seung-hyuk only noticed her passing by the blood scent.

"Tell me if Cartibes hatches. I'll help out. Seoul disappearing would suck."

As the departing Hongmaehwa guild master walked away, Cheon Seung-hyuk asked,

"Why are you so keen on finding the unregistered?"

"Secret."

- Shaaa...

"No bad intentions."

Seol dissolved into red mist once more.

In an instant, she arrived at a spot where the World Tower was visible in the distance.

'He definitely won't hate the offer...'

She just wanted to meet and talk. Didn't see him as an enemy.

'Thought he was holed up in Seoul, but suddenly Busan, Gwangju.'

Still, she couldn't shake the feeling he had a base nearby.

A few specific points in Seoul. The gargoyle massacre sites were still hotspots. Hoping for a lead soon.

Combat power, methods, concealment—nothing lacking.

Perfect in every way.

I bought the essentials for precise sniping first.

First up, the [16x Magnification Scope].

With only 4x before, I'd had to form distortion points way too close—huge risk. This eliminates that.

Next, the [Absolute Stability Bipod].

Basically a gun mount. Slotted into the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠[Steady Shooter] and placed on the table—two legs splayed in an X gripping the floor.

This bipod enables supported shooting using terrain, equipment, whatever—always ready.

'Hit rate's definitely going up.'

Just equipping it boosted the [Steady Shooter]'s accuracy stat nicely. But more importantly, it supports my skill.

With these two purchases, I've covered gear gaps—now just roll in the [Training Ground] to build skill.

And after some hesitation, this too.

Sudden thought: not shooting because it's dark or hitting innocents is the dumbest shit. Why'd I overlook this?

Won't miss anything ahead. Not sure what "completely ignores" means exactly.

But I trust it somehow.

'MMM' crushing noise reduction. 'Air bullets' minimizing ballistics detection.

Trust this time too. Mastercraft, right?

Prep's solid now. Sniping gear ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠at heavy whale level. (Sniper shop has 10-billion-gold items, but later problem...)

Now just improve my skill.

Even in the Creepher fight, took 4 shots to hit the fortress center. Not even that far.

For Management Bureau requests and my safety ahead, this mediocre skill won't last—position exposed or innocents hit eventually.

'Gotta master up to 16x. No more luck-sniping.'

Skill boost critical.

Set current spot, start close—hit 90% accuracy, then inch distance up.

Mount bipod on side table, eye to bigger scope. Night vision not equipped yet.

'Stability on another level. As expected.'

Tremor prevention insane. With bipod in Creepher, first shot center easy.

Confidence surges. Start at 10x+. Dozens of aerial bots far out.

- Whoosh! Whoosh! Shooo!

"Gonna improve..."

One way: infinite repetition mastery.

Train nonstop in free time. Fix to Jenny's rest periods.

- Click!

Load. Breathe. Fire.

- Phut...!

- Paaak!

Missed target spot. But hit adjacent one.

Dozens packed tight—naturally grasp shot grouping.

'Auto-generate at that position.'

Destroy target, auto-spawns. Focus pure sniping.

- Phut...!

- Paaak!

10x start to 16x. Dial in distances.

- Phut...!

- Paaak!

Deep in sniping trance, accuracy up—set 'sniping environment'.

Pitch black night, zero visibility.

True darkness.

Equipped to main sight (left eye),

'I see.'

Everything in green glow.

Unaided, couldn't see own body in pitch black—but system item, mastercraft title? Performance no joke.

Scouter-style mount, no shooting hindrance. Night shots comfy now. Green tint adaptation aside.

Then,

- Ding!

Subscribed Management Bureau news alert.

'Subjugation request?'

Heard one apostle still held by holy high-ranker. Already down? Tension spikes.

'Cartibes already?'

Night vision off, exit training ground.

"?"

Wording like they'd set up a contact channel with the unregistered.

Possible or not? Ambiguous report. Why air this?

'Different for me. I'm unregistered...'

Should set aside time to read.

If maintaining cooperation with Bureau, mail exchange fine.

System service guarantees anonymity. Good channel.

Minimize wording to avoid leaks.

Filter 【Management Bureau】—

Lots. Check latest few.

- Shiver.

Over 20 such earnest mails.

"Sending these so desperately, and I've been ignoring them."

No contract needed, hate attention—so left unread. Slight guilt now.

'Read a few more.'

Mostly from Team Leader Kim Chun-gyu. Some from staffers.

'What kinda guy? So devoted.'

Touching. While reading,

"Captain!!! I'm at my strongest now!!!"

"Oh."

Jenny emerged from quarters. Beaming.

Mussed hair—deep sleep? Likes the quarters? Relieved.

Jenny stood at attention a few paces away, awaiting orders.

"Sit, Jenny. Let's read together."

Reading Bureau mails with Jenny,

- Ding!

Fresh Bureau mail.

Title: 【Unregistered's Loot List】.

"Loot?"

News mentioned my loot stored, but no details. Curious.

Personal mail. Contents:

Descriptions: No single OP effects, but sky-high prices.

Rare materials for top gear.

'Sell all, easy 3 billion gold. But how to receive?'

Drooling, but room-bound—no receipt method.

One proper gear: 'Pendant of Revival'.

"......Fuck!"

- Spring up.

"H-huh?! S-sorry!"

Jenny startled, backed ten steps.

"That's mine. Give me my pendant, you bastards...!"

Can't endure. Unendurable item. Chills. More important than life?

[One-Time Fuck-You Death Prevention] temptation overwhelming. Irresistible.

One thought now:

'How to get it?'

System sponsorship too bulky—must meet or ship.

Both expose me massively.

'But need it. Absolutely. Somehow?'

Pacing, panting.

Jenny mimicking cluelessly. Sat on bed, head in hands.

"......How to get that."

Volume-based bags piled—too scared to trash. Proof of my paranoia. World fucked me.

But now, one-time freedom from fear. With pendant!

"......Wait!"

"Eh?"

Staring at bags—genius idea hits.

People don't die for nothing.

<Management Bureau>

Two engines running.

One: Cartibes site response.

Two: Unregistered cooperation stabilization.

Not separate agendas.

Cartibes classified—no news. To coordinate with unregistered pre-emptively, need indirect contact.

His overwhelming DPS crucial at right time.

'But over 20 mails sent unread.'

This time, news-teased loot storage. But unread mail guy won't meet or accept delivery.

Then.

4-5 staff screamed in unison.

"“Team Leader!!! Unregistered read the mail!!!”"

"What?"

Huge news. First read after zero.

Kim Chun-gyu jumped up, checked staff screen.

'Real. Read some latest ones.'

Jackpot. Cooperation wedge.

"He... read them. Real."

Stammering shock.

Loot mail read too.

'Starting communication?'

Then loot hook for offline meet possible.

Chills. First link to world-shaking unregistered: Kim Chun-gyu.

"Reply? No reply...?"

"Yes. Just read. Reply soon maybe...!"

Plopped down, hands clasped praying.

'Keep going. Unregistered. Need your power. Help.'

Then,

- Thud. Thud. Thud.

"???"

Ops room door knocked thrice.

Kim Chun-gyu and staff froze like seeing lidless pot.

Weird. No one knocks like that. All insiders here; more like fist pounds.

High chance outsider. Now.

"Check it."

Tank hunter approached door for contingencies. Others silent, watching.

- Creeeak...

Opened. No one there.

"What?"

Tank scanning sides—then,

"Insolent!"

"Aaaah!"

Reprimand from floor. Looked down, puzzled.

'A kid?'

Not absent—too small, below sightline.

'Elementary schooler?'

Tiny figure, girl's voice, deep-hooded mage robe. Black with faint red glow—top-tier, 200 million gold.

"Who... This isn't for just anyone..."

Flustered staff spoke. No way kid brought here casually. Something off. Pricey robe.

All subtly battle-ready,

"You insolent---!"

"!!!"

Girl's voice, massive volume roared.

Stunned room stared at girl,

"Daring that attitude to Unregistered's emissary!"

"“!!!!!!”"

Next words: shocking—'Unregistered'.

"Bow your heads now."

- Thud!

Kim Chun-gyu bolted up, rushed to 'emissary'.

'What?'

Too bewildering for judgment,

'Wait.'

Chills everywhere.

Girl held 'definitive proof' of unregistered's emissary.

No one in Bureau can upset her now. First contact with unregistered.

'......Real. Sent agent. To us!'

Proof? Nothing fancy.

Crumpled volume-based trash bag.

- Gargoyle rooftop, Hae-dong lost to unregistered. Provoked, defeated on spot.

- Acute gastritis lie?

- Believed that? Hae-dong lost already. To unregistered.

Yoon So-i's report. So that item...

No one but unregistered could have it. Never properly beaten Hae-dong before.

Girl hands on hips, chin up:

"Introducing again. I'm Jenny Gorwell."

"......!"

"Unregistered's emissary."