Taking on a Disciple
Several minutes after following one of the forks at the crossroads.
The torches that had lit the cave up to the middle suddenly vanished, leaving me wondering what to do—until the unique traits of this place's monsters eased my worries.
Fwoosh.
A monster appeared, casually strolling along wrapped in red flames that covered its entire body. It looked almost human, but it was made entirely of fire—like a flickering blaze taking on a person's shape.
The area around it was plenty bright thanks to the glow from the Flame Ghost's body. Plus, faint flames lingered briefly on the path it walked, illuminating the surroundings.
"Is that... a Flame Ghost?"
"Yep! Blue Ghosts are bigger~."
"Heh."
I remembered learning this in high school science class. Red flames are the weakest, blue comes next, and white is the strongest. It was hilarious that knowledge I'd thought useless my whole life was coming in handy now.
"Focus up~. I'll start things off, so fire when I give the signal~."
"Got it. Sure thing. Heh."
Watching her grip her rifle, tense as could be despite being young enough to be my daughter—it was kinda cute. Like seeing a tiny puppy puff out its chest, ready to hunt.
Fwoosh.
The distance between the Flame Ghost and us was about 50 meters. It clung tight to the winding cave walls, oblivious to our presence.
Click.
Ji-hyang pulled back the bolt first and chambered a round. A thin layer of frost coated the bullet—it looked like some special mana cartridge.
... Bang!
Flames burst from Ji-hyang's muzzle—not red, but a blue blaze, like blooming ice flowers.
Crack!
The first shot sprayed shards in all directions upon nearing the Flame Ghost, white frost spreading like a net to engulf it.
'Whoa.'
That was a mana cartridge all right. A freezing round, they called it.
The Flame Ghost's movements slowed noticeably after taking the freezing hit.
"Fire away~!"
"On it."
Bang. Bang.
I fired off a few pistol shots just to join in. I'd handled an M16 before, but this was my first time with a handgun—every single one missed.
Boom!
Meanwhile, one of Ji-hyang's mana rounds struck true. Hitting the orb at the center of the Flame Ghost's body made the flickering flames scatter in all directions.
That must've been its core. And just like that, our first Flame Ghost hunt was over.
'Not bad.'
She was better than expected. Sure, the Flame Ghost's glow helped, but this was a pitch-black cave, way dimmer than outside. Nailing a fingernail-sized core amid all that flickering flame...
'What a waste.'
Talent-wise, she was solid. And young, too. That eyesight she'd just shown? In my experience, raw strength or mana power isn't what matters most in combat.
It's the foundation: spotting your opponent quick and reacting. Sharpen that gaze, and combat sense follows naturally.
"Ahaha! Got it~!"
Ji-hyang bounded excitedly toward the scattered Flame Ghost fragments. She slung her rifle over her back and grunted as she picked them up.
"Ji-hyang. Why'd you pick a gun, anyway?"
"Huh? Why ask that all of a sudden~?"
"Just curious."
"Well... 'cause it's safe~. I don't wanna die. Got tons I haven't done yet~."
Ji-hyang furrowed her brow, like a bad memory had surfaced.
"Fair enough, I guess."
Probably from that Druid incident. Only the Myoryong Guild Master and her survived. Both took critical hits but pulled through somehow.
"...All the seniors got wiped out~. Frontline's scary~."
"Hm."
Three B-rank hunters slaughtered. Seeing folks stronger than her go down like that...
But I saw it differently. Being the sole survivor meant she outdid the dead ones. Luck played a part, sure—but that's key too.
Anyway, this girl had potential, plain and simple.
"Ji-hyang. How about switching to frontline instead? Like a fighter."
"Huh? No way~! Guns are way safer and better~."
"...Yeah?"
I could just let her be—none of my business. But it felt like such a shame. Call it an old man's whim.
I wanted to shatter this kid's bias.
"Guns are safer, huh? Easier to fight with too."
"Yep. But why...?"
"Huuuup."
I sucked in the deepest breath I could muster. Then—
"Waaah!"
"Kyaa!"
I bellowed at the top of my lungs right in the middle of the cave.
Waaah... Waaah...
My shout echoed through the narrow, sprawling tunnels.
"Wh-what are you doing~?!"
"What else? Showing guns aren't everything."
"Y-you what~?!"
Fwoooosh!
No sooner had I spoken than a horde of Flame Ghosts surged in from afar, drawn by my yell. Mixed among the red ones were occasional Blue Ghosts—twice as huge, glowing blue.
"Y-you're insane! What the hell...!"
"You said guns are great, right? Breathe steady."
"Do I look like I can stay steady?! You lunatic!"
Panicking flipped her speech casual—no more ~yong.
'Ahh. Music to my ears.'
Fwoosh!
The Flame and Blue Ghosts charged us, the tunnel ahead lighting up with their flames.
"Eek...!"
Click!
Ji-hyang yanked the bolt with trembling hands.
"Ugh!"
Bad luck strikes hardest in crunch time—even sober folks jam up, let alone shaking ones. A spent casing caught in the bolt, and she fumbled desperately to clear it.
No way it'd work with those quivering fingers.
"Wh-why won't it eject!"
"Easy, easy. Breathe. In... out."
"Grr...! Gimme that gun!"
"Huh? What gun?"
"Don't mess around!"
She snatched the pistol she'd loaned me earlier.
Boom! Bang!
Flames spat from the shaking barrel. Calming her nerves somehow, she emptied the mag and shattered two Flame Ghost cores.
But plenty more swarmed.
"Got spare mags?"
"N-no! We're done! Run!"
"See? What's the point if you down a few and run dry? No mags, you're just a normie."
"Quit joking! Hurry!"
She yanked my hand, urging escape. Could've ditched me easy, but the kid's got heart—eyes tearing up and all.
"Ahem. Maybe I overdid the prank."
"Duh! To the safe point, quick...!"
"Alright then."
I shook off her frantic grip and stepped forward.
"Know what's great about barehanded fighting?"
"H-huh? What're you...?"
Boom!
I stomped hard, closing the gap. Hands still empty.
"You can fight however you want, no weapon needed."
Crack!
I plunged my hand into a Flame Ghost, crushing its core. A clear, crisp sound rang out as the flames scattered like dust.
"Train your body right, and you're less likely to die."
Crack!
This time, both hands ripped out two cores at once. Even C-rank monsters have some smarts—they all focused on me now.
Far off, a Blue Ghost's hand flared up.
"Plus."
Fwoosh!
A soccer-ball-sized fireball launched from the Blue Ghost's hand. I casually kicked the straight-flying orb aside.
It ricocheted right into the Blue Ghost's core and exploded.
"Your whole body's a weapon—you can counter anytime."
What followed was a one-sided slaughter. I smashed cores using every part of my body, making sure Ji-hyang could see and learn.
Squish!
I snatched the last Blue Ghost's core in my fist without shattering it.
"Can grab 'em intact too?"
Fwoosh!
Flames gathered around my gripped hand—I squeezed hard. Seemed like cores had to break after all.
"So. Thoughts?"
"Hah... huff..."
Ji-hyang collapsed, eyes wide in disbelief at what she'd just witnessed.
"Wh-what was that...?"
"Told ya. Stronger than Sujin. I'd throw a fight if you really wanted."
"Huuuh...?"
I approached and offered a hand.
"Anyway. Impressions?"
"In-insane~..."
Tension gone, the ~yong was back.
"So, Ji-hyang. Know why I showed you that?"
"N-no idea~."
"You seem talented. Wanna switch to frontline? I'll teach you."
"M-me?"
She looked stunned. I just shrugged, and her eyes wavered.
"For real...? I got that kinda talent~?"
"Can't promise, but that's how it looks to me."
"B-but why me...?"
"Hm."
Why? Honestly, boredom. Like asking why play games. Leveling your char, breaking walls, getting stronger—perfect pastime.
'Maybe 'that guy' too.'
Back in that world, I'd just swung my fists in rage. Half-demon me got taught martial arts by someone.
Never see him again, but deep down, maybe I wanna pass on a bit of him.
'That's my pastime.'
"Not free, though."
"F-figured~? But I ain't got cash..."
"Money? Sujin's got way more... Uh, maybe not."
Bragging about my little sis's wallet looked bad.
"Anyway, not about money. Simple condition."
"Wh-what~?"
"Drop the ~yong at the end of every sentence."
"Ah...!"
She clapped a hand over her mouth like she'd slipped up.
"R-really just that? I mean, is that okay?"
"Yep. Deal?"
"Hell yes! Please let me!"
Fresh off my display, she burned with resolve from the ground.
No idea if I'm a good teacher, but after that show, she'd wanna be my disciple.
"Heh. Alright."
"S-so, Master from now on? Or Teacher? Sir Soo-hyeok?"
"Ahem."
Didn't know it, but she had a knack for flattery. Just hearing it puffed me up.
"Call me Master from now on."
"Yes, Master!"
"Good. Disciple. Grab the loot and let's go."
"Yes!"
Ji-hyang scrambled to collect the Blue and Flame Ghost fragments. Faint flames lingered here and there for light, but they'd die out soon.
'Ah. Not the time.'
Got caught up playing mentor and forgot my goal. I came to the dungeon for new otherworld crops.
While she gathered, I scoured corners, eyes peeled for anything farm-worthy.
"...Nada."
Checked everywhere—nothing but the cave's usual dark soil.
"Master! Looking for something?"
"Huh? Oh, otherworld crops."
"Oof. Tough luck. Hunters dig 'em up obsessively since they sell big. This dungeon's probably tapped out."
"Won't regrow?"
"Dungeon thing—eventually, but who knows when."
"Tch."
Bad timing, huh.
"Dungeons with less traffic?"
"Probably, but not many."
"Got it."
I nodded, and Ji-hyang finished packing. We headed to the sub-safe point midway.
Thanks to my earlier area taunt, the path was monster-free.