Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: A Legendary Hunter Emerges (1)
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"Is this the 31st floor?"
Park Won-jun had arrived on the 31st floor of the Seoul Black Tower.
Since both Seoul and Busan towers had been cleared up to the 30th floor, tackling the 31st was only natural.
But today, there was another reason.
"Hmm."
Won-jun fiddled with the clip-on camera perched on his shoulder.
Its small size made it barely noticeable.
This camera was a product of materials from the Black Tower combined with modern science.
It was made to record Hunters' tower raids.
Special Hunters were required to capture their raids on video by default.
'I've never dreamed of being a streamer or anything.'
Won-jun felt a bit odd, like he'd suddenly become some tower-raiding streamer.
'That said.'
If he was going to do it, he might as well do it right.
Clearing the tower wasn't an issue at all anyway.
So why not put some flair into the performance?
"Grrr."
Werewolves—beasts with wolf-like fur, hides, and teeth, yet moving upright like humans.
The 31st floor monsters began surrounding Won-jun.
And Won-jun clasped his hands together in preparation to unleash his martial art.
'Not much different, really.'
Might as well wipe them out fast and in one go.
That was it.
The twenty werewolves crept closer bit by bit.
A searing aura began to rise around Won-jun's body as he strode steadily toward the boss room.
His go-to martial art, the Blazing Flame Divine Art.
Thanks to his consistent channeling of qi, the technique had grown more powerful, and so had the energy it unleashed compared to before.
Whoosh!
Won-jun spun his body, spewing flames in all directions.
An overwhelming surge of energy engulfed the surrounding werewolves in an instant.
The werewolves vanished into puffs of ash without even a scream.
'A bit flashier than before, I hope.'
The tower's difficulty was so low compared to his own strength that picking a martial art felt less important than choosing breakfast.
Still, maybe this one had some visual appeal?
"Awooooo!"
"Huh?"
Won-jun entered the boss room.
The boss loomed far larger than the regular werewolves.
The Werewolf Lord revealed itself.
Its piercing howl echoed.
Hunters who struggled even against the regular werewolves on the 31st floor often felt terror at the boss's cry.
But to Won-jun, it was less intimidating than a puppy's bark on a walk.
"...Yeah, that's right."
Won-jun had planned to incinerate the boss like he did the minions with the Blazing Flame Divine Art.
But with the camera rolling, he decided to mix it up a bit.
The Werewolf Lord lumbered toward Won-jun.
Its bulging muscles, tough-looking hide, and sharp teeth were on full display.
Clearly a close-quarters brawler.
"How about a little fistfight?"
Won-jun grinned, dropping into a fist fighter's stance and beckoning with his right hand.
Thud thud thud.
The Werewolf Lord leaped, charging at Won-jun with jaws wide, fangs gleaming.
Crack!
"Kraaak!"
But one kick from Won-jun sent that massive bulk flying far away.
"Where do you think you're going!"
Crack.
Won-jun closed in faster than the beast could recover, grabbed its head, and slammed it into the ground.
Bam bam bam bam!
A barrage of punches followed.
Dozens of blows hammered the wolf's gut in seconds.
Its tough hide tore, ribs shattered—the gruesome sounds filled the air.
The sheer power gap left the Werewolf Lord unable to resist.
"It's over."
Playtime was done; time to finish it.
Won-jun placed his foot on the throat of the half-unconscious beast sprawled out like a starfish.
Snap!
Neck bones cracked, and the floor beneath cracked wide from the impact.
The boss died without a whimper, and rewards poured in.
Won-jun stashed 202 Mana Crystals and 10 Werewolf Lord hides in his inventory.
Accounting for the double bonus—like on the 30th floor—dropping 10 materials was a good haul.
"..."
Heh.
'I'm kinda childish myself, huh.'
Even if it was for show, had he played around too much like a kid? Still, Won-jun had done his job diligently and prepared to head home.
"No traffic today—nice, right?"
"Y-yes? Yes..."
In Park Won-jun's car heading to Wangsimni in Seoul.
Won-jun flashed a gentle smile at the 20-year-old Park Si-young in the passenger seat.
While the driver was relaxed, the pretty college girl beside him looked pale and spoke with obvious caution.
"I'm so sorry about today. Thank you for driving me home."
"It's the least I could do. Did you think I'd kick you out over something like that? Is that the image you have of me?"
"No! I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that."
"I'm kidding."
Won-jun laughed and patted Si-young's head.
He'd called her out after quite a while.
Not to study like a proper college student, but because he hadn't seen her lately and wanted some fun sex.
After meeting busty, curvy puppy-faced girls lately, he'd craved Si-young's sleek face and slim figure.
It had been nearly two months since their first time.
Won-jun, who texted constantly at first, had gradually contacted her less.
Si-young, who'd eagerly awaited this meetup, dolled herself up and met him at the hotel. But when they tried to get it on, she had heavy bleeding, so they ended up not doing it and heading home instead.
She'd even showered at the hotel, but it ended without sex—the ultimate rudeness from a woman. Yet Won-jun just smiled kindly, hugged her tight, and suggested they go.
"Go see a doctor, just in case."
"Yes... I'm really sorry. This almost never happens."
"It's fine."
Si-young kept apologizing, still in shock.
She shouldn't have bled at all by her calculations, but it ruined the night big time.
As a long-awaited hookup, she felt like bursting into tears even now.
'No.'
She could see Won-jun's interest waning. It couldn't end like this.
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"When can we meet next? I wanted to spend time with you... I'm disappointed."
"Hmm... I'm not exactly free all the time, so I can't say right now. Sorry."
"Ah..."
His tone was kind, but the words were cold.
Si-young felt the sky collapsing.
"We're here."
Won-jun pulled up slowly near Si-young's place and parked appropriately.
"You barely ate dinner. Order something tasty for a late-night snack."
"Yes, thank you for the ride."
Si-young bowed in gratitude.
"Hold on."
Won-jun pulled out his phone and fiddled with it.
"Check your phone?"
"Pardon?"
Never dreaming he'd send money, Si-young pulled out her phone.
"Oh my."
She saw the notification: 3 million won deposited via bank app. From Won-jun, just now.
"I've been slacking on taking care of you. Go have fun with your friends. Treat them—make it feel good. Boyfriend, oh right, you broke up, sorry?"
"Y-yes?! Th-thank you. For doing this much."
"What do you mean? You're special to me."
Won-jun pulled Si-young into a tight hug.
"I'm off."
"Drive safe!"
And Won-jun drove away.
"...Haa."
In bed, he was into rough, filthy play from the woman's perspective.
Yet he never clung to any girl. No pandering at all.
But sometimes, he'd look after them like this.
Handing over 3 million won like it was nothing.
Of course, it was pocket change to Won-jun, who hadn't even checked his accounts lately.
Si-young couldn't go inside right away.
She couldn't escape this man.
Won-jun had been indifferent to her for a while, so out of guilt, she'd broken up with her boyfriend but got back with him days ago.
Then his sudden call. She agreed immediately, dolled up, and went. Only for it to end like this.
Thinking his interest had faded because she clung too much, she'd taken back Kim Dong-myeong.
But today, her boyfriend hadn't crossed her mind once.
"Park Won-jun, 23 years old, applying for Special Hunter at such a young age?"
"Hunter strength isn't about age."
"But look at the records—first Mana Crystal submission was in January. That's impossible speed."
"No way, for real? How does this even make sense?"
In the Examination Division under the Hunter Management Bureau in Seoul.
The staff reviewing Park Won-jun's Special Hunter application couldn't hide their shock.
Once a Hunter enters the tower, defeat means death.
Few enter thinking they'll scout and bail. Or they vanish without even leaving a body for family.
So Hunters don't climb floors daily. Fear keeps them prepped thoroughly before advancing.
But this Park Won-jun acted like he could clear up to 30 floors no problem, blitzing both Seoul and Busan towers in record time.
And the Mana Crystals submitted per floor? Insanely excessive.
The two staffers played the video.
Won-jun's Seoul Black Tower 31st floor raid footage.
"What the hell did we just watch?"
"Holy..."
The video was jaw-dropping.
Magic user? He torched the werewolves en masse with fierce flames.
And from the camera angle, he just trampled them while heading straight for the boss.
Treating potential killers like ants?
"Why no magic?"
Against the Werewolf Lord, infamous for brutal physical prowess—why hesitate on his signature magic?
"No way!"
The boss fight was even more shocking than the mobs.
"Not a magic user?"
"Unbelievable."
Overpowering the Werewolf Lord with fists? Could Korea's top melee Hunters toy with the 31st floor boss like a child?
The video ended with the Werewolf Lord battered by punches until its neck snapped.
"We need to report this fast. It's not just about approval—this guy's no ordinary Special Hunter."
"If this leaks... it'll be chaos. Almost burdensome to have seen it first."
The public would swarm Hunter news.
But at least it wasn't some negative top-floor clearance scandal.