I Saved an S-Rank Hunter, You Know
'Haa… I'm so tired.'
The massive S-rank gate conquest in Europe.
Eunseol Baek was utterly exhausted after a full month of grueling raids.
Normally, she wouldn't even attempt a gate in this condition, but the emergency left her no choice.
An A-rank gate with a one-hour time attack and a two-person entry limit. Of all the rotten luck—right after returning from Europe, another catastrophe erupts.
At least duoing with her friend yesterday had recharged her a little.
'Even if my condition's shot… I can solo an A-rank gate no problem.'
Tedious and exhausting as it was, that was an S-rank hunter's duty. Sweep it clean as fast as possible, then crash at home and sleep like the dead—that was the plan.
She entered the A-rank gate with that lighthearted mindset. But for some reason…
"Hmm. So this is one of this world's so-called strong humans? How disappointing."
The monster awaiting her inside was ridiculously powerful.
Strength, speed, technique.
It overwhelmed her in every way. Even going all out as an S-rank hunter, she couldn't keep up.
They clashed in a brutal fight for dozens of minutes until her vast mana reserves ran dry.
'I'm not even a match.'
It had been a desperate struggle for her—but to it, it was just playtime.
Like a cat toying with a mouse. That was the gap between them.
Her poor condition played a part, but even at full strength, it wouldn't have changed much.
If it got serious, she'd be done in a handful of moves.
'This isn't A-rank…!'
Eunseol bit her lip. The rating was way off—at least S-rank… or beyond.
'A vampire this strong?'
A high-grade monster resembling a human. A bloodsucker, known as a vampire.
She knew all about them.
She'd even fought a few before.
But nothing like this. It was on a completely different level from any she'd encountered.
"Time to end this."
The vampire approached slowly, a wicked smile curling its lips.
'…This is it.'
Mana and stamina both depleted.
Eunseol sensed her end.
As an S-rank hunter, she'd long accepted the risk of death.
She met the enemy's gaze with cold eyes to the last.
That was the final pride of the Ice Emperor, S-rank hunter.
But Eunseol Baek, the woman—not the Ice Emperor?
'…I'm scared.'
Terror gripped her.
It hurt. It was grueling. Agonizing.
It always had been. She just never showed it.
She couldn't afford weakness.
Truth be told, that was why she kept others at arm's length, acting cold.
Partly because she despised those who chased her facade.
But also because showing her true self terrified her.
In a world that devoured vulnerability and exploited it—she'd grown up that way. Even her own parents had tried to use her.
So she'd grown colder, climbed higher.
Money, fame, power, strength… she'd chased every form of power.
Yet a random monster crushed all her efforts like they were nothing.
Ridiculously, in her final moments, her thoughts weren't of her hard-earned power.
No life-flashing montage, no family faces.
'…My friend will worry.'
Just one online game buddy, face and name unknown.
With her personality, if contact vanished without a word, she'd freak out for sure.
'Sorry.'
Apologizing silently to that faceless friend, she braced for the end.
Then—
Footsteps halted abruptly.
The vampire's slow advance stopped dead.
"Hm? And who might you be?"
The vampire tilted its head, glancing behind it. Eunseol followed its gaze, turning slowly.
'…Huh?'
A red-eyed woman had appeared soundlessly.
'When did she…?'
Eunseol hadn't sensed a thing.
And the aura radiating from her was immense—on par with the bloodlust that had crushed her moments ago.
"Hold on… you're no human."
The vampire was right.
'Another vampire?'
The energy felt slightly different, but instinct told her: this woman was vampire kin too.
Eunseol's mind raced.
Enemy? Ally? Or just another variable in this gate?
But the scene that followed made her eyes widen in shock.
"Kneel."
Thud.
At the woman's command, the vampire dropped to its knees like crushed by an invisible force.
"Guh… grr…!"
It trembled violently, clearly in agony.
'…Impossible.'
Eunseol doubted her eyes. The monster that had toyed with an S-rank like her—brought low by a single word, without resistance. Not even top rankers could pull that off…!
"Wh-what is this…?!"
Pinned to the ground, the vampire gritted its teeth and looked up.
Confusion filled its eyes.
"Controlling a [Pureblood] like me…?! N-no way… [True Blood]…?"
The vampire muttered.
Its voice shook—like it feared something.
'Pureblood? True Blood?'
Eunseol didn't know the terms, but she sensed they denoted vampire hierarchy.
Then the vampire's face twisted again.
"No. Different. This is…"
It groped at the nature of the power pinning it.
"This isn't their power…?!"
Realization dawned; its eyes bulged.
Trembling.
Forcing against the pressure, it shoved off the ground.
It stood, glaring murderously at the woman.
"You. Whose blood flows in your veins?"
She answered curtly, face emotionless.
"None of thy concern."
'She serves someone?'
And that someone commanded enough authority to drop this monster with a word.
'…Who?'
Before Eunseol could dwell, the fight erupted.
Whoosh—!
The woman kicked off; vanishing from Eunseol's sight.
'…Fast!'
Even an S-rank's dynamic vision lost her in that instant.
Boom—!!
A thunderous impact echoed.
The vampire had crossed its arms; her fist buried there.
"Guh…!"
It groaned in pain, retreating swiftly and opening its palm.
Red blood swirled, forming dozens of whips that lashed at her.
She didn't dodge.
"Blood Art. [Blood Bind]."
Her hand birthed crimson whips of its own, clashing head-on.
Clash—!!
Red tendrils tangled and collided midair.
'…Same blood techniques.'
Eunseol's eyes narrowed.
Both wielded blood manipulation. But the execution differed.
The male vampire's was crude, brute force unleashed wildly.
Hers was refined to perfection—no waste.
'…She's strong.'
Eunseol swallowed dryly.
Despite identical arts, the woman held the edge.
Matching—surpassing—the monster that had dominated her.
Why was a being like this here? In Korea? In this gate? Saving her?
As Eunseol's mind whirled, the duel raged.
Bam-bam-boom—!
Dozens of her blood projectiles shattered the vampire's barrier.
Whoosh—!!
Its blood spear grazed her throat by a hair.
Fierce battle.
Yet Eunseol knew instinctively: the woman would win.
She led in composure, speed, mastery.
"Grr…! Damn it…!"
Cold sweat beaded on the vampire's brow.
Its earlier arrogance long gone.
Then—the unbelievable happened.
'…Huh?'
Roooar—!
Jet-black aura erupted from the woman; her presence transformed.
'That wasn't even full power?'
Eunseol reeled.
Already beyond S-rank—and that wasn't her limit?
The vampire sensed it too.
"…?!"
Its pupils dilated.
"Wh-what is that power…?!"
She didn't answer. No need.
Instead—
She swung her hand gracefully once.
The vampire's right arm tore free.
"Gaaah—!!"
Before the scream faded, another swing.
Slash—!!
Left arm severed.
"Haaahk!"
Not attacks—just motions ripping its body apart. Too fast; even S-rank eyes couldn't track.
'…Unreal.'
Eunseol couldn't believe it.
The even match had flipped to one-sided slaughter in seconds.
"W-wait…! Hold on! Why fight kin?!"
Disarmed and helpless, the vampire pleaded desperately.
"I received blood directly from one of the Great Ones! Think you can kill a Pureblood like me and walk away?!"
"Great One?"
She scoffed derisively.
Her eyes gleamed with utter confidence, pride.
"I know but one Great One."
Instantly, she was before it.
Splat—!!
Her hand pierced its torso.
"Gurk…!"
Black-red blood gushed from its mouth.
Eunseol watched, breathless.
The woman withdrew her hand calmly.
The once-mighty, arrogant vampire melted into a puddle of blood.
'…'
Eunseol was speechless.
It hadn't sunk in.
The woman raised her hand; the spilled blood floated up, gathering in her palm.
Step. Step.
With all of it absorbed, she turned toward the gate exit.
Seeing that, Eunseol's mouth moved on its own.
"W-wait…!"
The woman paused, turning slowly.
Her impassive blood-red eyes looked down.
The overwhelming pressure choked Eunseol.
But she endured.
She couldn't let her go like this.
"You… who are you…?"
Voice squeezed out.
"At least tell me my savior's name…!"
Savior.
A word she'd never uttered. Hard-won from her lips.
Yet—
"Why dost thou inquire after my name?"
The woman replied tonelessly.
"I am but a servant, obeying my master's will."
'…What?'
"If thou wouldst honor thy savior."
She continued quietly.
"Offer that gratitude to my lord."
"L-lord? Who…?!"
The instinctive cry.
But no answer came.
Shimmer.
Shadows enveloped her.
"W-wait…!"
Eunseol reached out desperately.
But the woman was gone.
'…'
Staring at empty air, hand outstretched, Eunseol thought.
She'd vaguely guessed during the fight: someone backed this vampire woman.
But.
If such a powerhouse called herself a mere 'servant'…
…Just how strong is her 'lord'?