Classic Cliché (2)

I started with the classic cliché, just like with Fenrion—imagining myself turning into a massive wolf monster.

Then, I pictured myself bounding across the plains on all fours instead of my human two legs, full of power.

And finally, I imagined letting out a mighty roar, just like Fenrion had done earlier.

'Transparent dr…. The wolf howled. Rawr.'

So, how much time had really passed like that?

While imagining myself roaring powerfully like Fenrion had, I suddenly noticed it.

My senses had somehow become even sharper.

-Glance...

I cautiously opened my closed eyes and checked my assimilation rate with a bit of anticipation.

"...Hmm."

Put it nicely, my assimilation rate had jumped a whopping 23 times higher.

Put it harshly, I still had 77% to go before hitting 100%.

But somehow, even in this state, I felt like I could find the Dungeon Core.

No, actually, an ominous scent had been wafting from somewhere all along. Faint, but definitely there.

I was certain—if I followed this smell, I'd find the Dungeon Core.

"Um, s-sis..."

"Yeah? What's up?"

"I... n-need the bathroom..."

"Oh."

I pointed to the nearby woods, using the classic "gotta pee" excuse.

No way a dungeon had a bathroom, so nature was the only option.

Of course, my real destination was somewhere else entirely.

But nothing beat "bathroom" for slipping away unnoticed.

"Okay, be quick."

"No way. I'll go with you, sis."

"N-No... it's embarrassing."

"I'll turn my back."

"You'll hear sounds."

"I'll plug my ears too. It's too dangerous for you to go alone, Jiwoo. What if a monster shows up mid-pee?"

'...I'm invincible anyway.'

Of course, no convenient plot where a kid wanders off alone in a dangerous dungeon.

The female hunter I'd chatted with earlier—Park Serin, was it?—trailed stealthily behind me.

At least it was just one. Two would've been harder to ditch.

"D-Don't look."

"Wasn't planning to. Aren't you being too shy for girls together?"

It's been less than a day since I became a girl.

Sorry, not sorry.

"J-Just a bit further back. Behind that tree."

"Jiwoo, you're in puberty, huh? Right?"

"Y-Yeah, hurry."

"Got it~."

The moment Park Serin stepped toward the tree and let her guard down, I bolted.

Tatadak.

I dashed toward the dangerous scent drifting from somewhere across the vast plains.

"?! Jiwoo!!!"

She kept calling from behind, but I didn't stop.

Couldn't stop, really.

With my Fenrion assimilation at 23%, it wasn't just my senses that had sharpened—my physical abilities had surged too.

Like my running speed, for example.

-Udada───!

"La───ter! Watch───!"

"Huff, huff... No, Jiwoo──! Come back!!"

Even an adult hunter couldn't catch up to my short little legs.

My body felt lighter overall.

Like I was the wind itself, tearing across the plains in seconds.

-Sniff sniff.

-Sniff sniff.

"...There it is."

The ominous scent grew stronger.

I shifted my gaze to the hill ahead—a pack of monsters clustered there.

Wolf monsters like the ones the hunters fought earlier, bulky orcs, and a massive golem-looking boss at the rear.

Perfect spot for a Dungeon Core.

'Time: about 3 minutes.'

From the hunters' spot to here—roughly three minutes.

Meaning it'd take at least three to get back.

Who knew what could happen to them without me? I'd wipe 'em out quick and return.

I wasn't even sure when Conversation Immunity wore off.

-Look around.

-Look around.

-Freeze.

"That... the Dungeon Core? Gotta be, right?"

A black ore hovering in the hill's center, emitting dark energy.

Never seen one IRL, but that screamed Dungeon Core.

No stronger scent around.

"Phew..."

I steadied the tension with a deep breath and opened my skill menu.

"...Manifestation."

-Thump!

"Eek?!"

The moment Manifestation activated, my heart started pounding wildly.

My breaths felt scorching hot.

"Ugh, uuuugh...!"

My assimilation with Fenrion skyrocketed.

My vision, thoughts, senses—all shifting closer to the hidden boss Fenrion than any human.

Not prey, but predator.

The ruler of these mountains.

A king who had reigned aloof for eons.

Every nerve sharpened to a razor's edge.

A single gesture could wipe this whole area—omnipotence surged through me.

-Thud.

"Haa, haa..."

Finally, the Manifestation kicked in fully, and the assimilation surge halted.

My forehead was slick with cold sweat.

But I wasn't the old me anymore.

-Grr...?

-Grgrgrr──!

The monsters finally noticed me, growling and turning toward me.

But why? These beasts that had been so ferocious against the hunters now looked utterly pathetic.

Like ants underfoot.

Nothing they did could touch a hair on my head. Certainty absolute.

No matter how they snarled, they were vermin—nothing more.

"...Got your level now."

"Bored enough to die."

Would anyone tense up facing ants you could squash with a step?

I gazed at them leisurely.

No—annoyed, even.

That they'd dare bare their pathetic fangs and claws at me.

-Ding.

Instinct told me: I could obliterate everything in sight effortlessly.

Even my thinking had assimilated with Fenrion.

Dominating these monsters? Natural law to me now.

-Grrrng───!

A wolf monster with markings on its mane charged, jaws wide to rip my throat.

Others followed.

But I didn't dodge.

Just thrust my palm forward.

"Where do you think you're going."

-Smack──!

Like swatting with a giant paw.

One by one, as they lunged—

Slapped their cheeks hard, reminding them who they were ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠messing with.

Heads flying into dirt from my slaps.

Sometimes smashing into rocks with a splat.

Gasps realizing the power gap.

Those sounds? Music to my ears.

-Groooaaar───!

Wolves down, now the giant orc charged.

But the mountain's ruler shows no mercy to challengers.

Always aloof, unyielding—arrogant apex predator.

"...Hup!"

Fist clenched tight.

Uppercut straight to its solar plexus as it barreled in.

My tiny fist sank in with a squish, launching it skyward.

Lungs heaving groans faded into the distance.

-Boom!

It crashed down, KO'd from my punch.

Only the golem boss left—the toughest-looking one.

"...Who do you think you're looking down on?"

Drenched in omnipotence, I grinned wide at the raging golem.

Then, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠mimicking a fleeting Fenrion memory, I unleashed a massive roar.

-■───────!!───!!!!

The rock-solid golem crumbled under my howl.

Throat scratchy from the rare yell.

And then—I spotted the black ore.

"...Whoa!"

Snapping back, I snatched it and peered afar.

My already expanded vision widened further.

Until I made out the tiny hunter silhouettes.

"If it's not the Dungeon Core, we're screwed... but it is."

Optimism bubbling, I tucked the ore away and powered my legs.

Planning to zip back lightly like before.

-Whoosh───!

Until one leap sent me soaring high.

"...Huh? H-Huh? Wh-What?!"

Different from before.

Earlier, just super fast running.

Now? Landscapes blurring like I was folding the earth.

Then—a popup.

"...Wait. What?"

Stagger. Legs went limp suddenly.

That dizzy chill like missing a stair step.

"Uwaaaah───!"

I plummeted from my high jump.

Arcing like a parabola.

Straight at the hunters below, who gawked skyward—like a human cannonball.

"Th-That... no way?"

"Catch her!!!"

"S-Save──!"

-Plop.

"Urk."

Omnipotence deflated like air from a balloon.

Landed on some hunter's body.

Thank god my S-rank invincibility triggered—no scratches.

But just in case.

Pinch. Resurrection spell on my cheek to check if this was afterlife.

Ouch.

Not dead yet.

"Jiwoo!!"

Park Serin rushed over, startled. The raid leader followed.

Perfect timing.

Now for the classic cliché highlight.

"H-Here... this the Dungeon Core?"

I slipped the black ore from my bosom to the leader.

Eyes bulging in shock.

Just watching was thrilling.

Ah, this is it.

Slept like a baby tonight.

"H-How did you..."

"Told ya, I'm S-rank."

Haven't tested yet.

But this? S-rank for sure.

"So, we can leave now, right?"

Leader nodded slowly at my question about the core.

Pupils quaking 9.0 magnitude.

Bearded uncle's reaction? Priceless.

But then I realized my huge screw-up.

"My proof shot...!"

I curb-stomped so badass, no video, no pics.

Two Helji Gallery cheat keys wasted already.

Should've set up my phone angle pre-fight.

Wanna cry. For many reasons.

"First, come to our guild. Treatment and basic debrief, Jiwoo."

"Yeah. Government folks'll arrive soon—better stick with us."

The hunters emerging from the stabilized Gate said that.

But me? Newly awakened or whatever—I instantly clocked it.

Follow them? Endless hassle incoming.

-Mumble.

"...Assimilation."

"Bye then───!"

I was beat.

Not even a registered hunter.

Civilian swept into a Gate—why hassle more?

Hunter world ghost stories about government? Plenty.

Human experiments, forced drafts for "national duty" on the cheap.

'...I'm a girl now, but still.'

No thanks to government ties.

Only one Korean S-rank under government: Hunter Association Chair.

Would've gone without "government," but now? Run.

For this mess, I'd lean on the one hunter I trusted.

Only her.

-Udada───!

"?! J-Jiwoo!! Wait!!"

"Dungeon clear reward on standby───!"

"...What'd she say?"

Re-assimilated with Fenrion, I bolted.

Next thing, I was at my familiar rooftop room.

"Ugh... so tiring..."

Phone on—dozens of missed calls popping up.

Convenience Store Manager must've channeled a mega-pissed chihuahua.

But I was wiped.

Just barely sent "gn" and crashed.

Please, tomorrow's me...