Chapter 181
Chapter 181
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 181
Chapter Title: Humanity's Greatest Virtue: Endurance
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I was the first to snap out of it, darting around to deliver a sharp slap across each of the other hunters' cheeks.
It was ridiculous that a single smack to the face could bring them around, but these were no ordinary folk—they were seasoned hunters, and somehow, they all managed to pull themselves together.
"You bastards, still looking all wobbly."
They didn't look great, though. That was proof of just how potent the misty power dripping from that thing's body truly was.
―As always, it seems you're the one who ends up being my obstacle.
The monster said that, then lifted its funnel-shaped maw. As it took a deep breath, sucking in the air, some kind of energy was yanked from our bodies and funneled straight into its mouth.
"…."
Fighting spirit, pride, passion, resentment—these were the things it craved. Its true nature wasn't that massive bulk or its grotesquely indescribable appearance.
It was a power that dominated emotions, forcing submission and crushing all resistance.
―Revere me.
Every time it spoke, an overwhelming wave of emotion spread out, nearly impossible to defy.
"Shove it up your ass."
Emotional control wasn't its exclusive trick. I could manage it too, at least to a half-decent degree.
Strictly speaking, though, it wasn't domination—it was incineration.
"Emotions, you see…."
Even when burned away, the side effects were minimal. Nothing permanent.
Back in London, I'd torched the fighting spirit of that taekwondo girl decked out in piercings without a second thought.
I raised my spear and slammed it into the ground. Paradox Flame roared to life, consuming the emotional waves the monster had unleashed.
Paradox Flame had a clear target: the emotional pulses pouring from that bastard. After a brief moment of thought, I spoke up.
"Jung No-hoon, you hearing me?"
―Yeah, what's up?
I kept it short.
"Get into your sub-space with the other hunters."
They'd just be in the way. Better if they were completely isolated from this space via the sub-space while I fought.
―You alone?
"Yeah. I'm gonna set this place ablaze, and I won't be pinpointing targets."
I planned to unleash Paradox Flame uncontrolled inside this Erosion Core. Burning space itself with it was something even my previous self couldn't pull off, so the sub-space would be safe from it.
―Got it. You're doing this because you can win, right?
"You think I'd pull this if I wanted to die? If I was suicidal, I'd have just grabbed a rope."
Before this transformation, Naryun had always needed everyone's help to fight. Those four pillars were a hassle, and the fact that it was invincible as long as its feet touched the ground made things tricky.
But now, all that was gone. Only this emotion-dominating monster remained.
"Monster hunting's my specialty. Leave it to me."
―But how will we know when it's over?
Once inside the sub-space, they wouldn't have any way to check the outside.
And since Jung No-hoon owned the sub-space, I couldn't just pop it open on my own once it was done.
"Rewards."
Jung No-hoon let out an "ah." The sub-space wasn't another world. Even inside it, they were still within the Erosion Core.
So, naturally, if I succeeded in the hunt while they were in there, the rewards would still come through. They could come out then.
―How long will it take?
"Pretty long. But you've got plenty of food and water stocked up, right?"
Holding out wouldn't be hard.
"Get in there, quick."
At my words, the hunters gathered in one spot. Then, with Jung No-hoon, they slipped into the sub-space.
―You fool. Planning to take on the vermin lord alone?
"Sometimes a guy just wants to be alone."
With a thud, it took a step toward me. Its body was so enormous I had no choice but to look up.
―Don't think the vermin lord is limited to mere emotional control.
"You've been dropping 'vermin' into every damn sentence."
I spun the spear in my hand with a whoosh and glared at it.
"Fuck your vermin lord bullshit. You're done for today, asshole."
The battle between me and this absurdly massive monster was about to begin right here.
―If you desire longevity, submit.
"I don't fancy clinging to someone's asshole like a bidet for a long life."
First off, it was a bummer that it'd transformed again—I'd have to recalculate everything.
Like a chef who's prepped the whole meal only for the customer to suddenly change the order.
I lowered my stance and charged at Naryun. It didn't flinch, charging right back and swinging a massive forepaw.
Dodging wouldn't cut it with that insane power; the shockwave alone would follow. My window to strike was a split second after evading the paw but before the shockwave hit.
The Paradox Flame-blazing spear tip grazed its forepaw heel.
"Anti-magic first."
―You jest. Your flames are irritating enough, but burning through this body's magic resistance will take….
The uncontrolled Paradox Flame spread across its body in an instant, like tossing a match into gasoline.
"Take long? Nah, moron."
Left to rampage freely, the flames burned fiercely without end. Naryun seemed a bit rattled, launching a frantic attack at me.
With a roar, it force-fed emotions into me while savagely swinging its forepaws and the scythes on its back.
"As expected."
Handling it solo was a bit tough. Didn't matter. As long as I avoided fatal hits, it was fine.
A few scrapes or shockwaves from its swings? I could tank those easy.
In the end, like always, I'd win. Just wait till all its magic resistance burned away—then you'd see.
Of course, without control, the magic resistance on my gear was burning up too, no exceptions.
Looks like I'd need a full equipment overhaul after this fight.
I dodged a massive scythe whistling right over my head, only for another to come crashing down at me.
Bracing with my waist, I blocked with the spear. Sparks flew with a chilling screech. The flames devouring its body started flickering out.
The fuel was gone. Like a lighter running dry.
"Now you're fucked."
All its magic resistance burned away meant I could incinerate whatever I wanted next.
The most textbook choice was, of course….
"Muscle power."
Safest to burn, guaranteed results. The classic of classics.
Plus, with that bloated bulk moving so fast, there was a shit-ton to burn.
The more firewood, the fiercer the blaze—and the fiercer it burned, the quicker the wood vanished.
"Raaargh!"
This fire was getting seriously huge.
A bit later, the black flames had grown so intense I could barely make out the massive monster anymore. They were on the verge of engulfing heaven and earth.
If I hadn't evacuated Jung No-hoon and the others to the sub-space, it would've been chaos. This was way beyond what anyone could handle right now.
"Gonna need another three or four hours of this, at least."
The problem? Even with flames this intense, it would take quite a while before its muscle power degraded enough to cripple it.
I'd love to suck in the mana pouring from it and reinforce my meridians again, but….
Fighting while intentionally strengthening my meridians seemed impossible now. I'd just let it happen naturally.
―You bastard! You worm!
"Ah, quit yelling already."
It knew time was running short. It was swinging its forepaws at me like a madcat whack-a-mole.
Three or four swipes per second, each slamming the ground and sending shattered rock flying everywhere.
And then—boom.
Finally, a house-sized forepaw came crashing down on my head.
―…?!
"Kuh… ha."
Gripping the spear with both hands, I resisted the forepaw trying to crush me. Strange cracking sounds came from my waist and legs, but I held firm.
It'd get easier to block as time passed.
"Fly freak, you're weakening, huh?"
Taking a deep breath and drawing in mana, I pushed back. The paw pressing on my head slowly lifted. I shoved its foot aside and leaned on my waist with one hand.
"Ow, think I twisted it a bit."
The ragged gear draped over me slowly healed my sprained waist and throbbing legs.
"Hey, this is the best haul from coming to China."
Constant regen for a war of attrition? Couldn't ask for better conditions.
―Muscle power can be substituted with mana. Nothing changes.
I swung the spear through the air a few times, then grinned at Naryun's fly head.
"Still talking big, eh?"
Not wrong. Even with muscle power burned out, that much mana could sub in for it.
But mana wasn't infinite, and substituting cut into what you could normally do with it.
No matter how much it bluffed, it was weaker now. Its body trembled as its red compound eyes gleamed.
Its only card left was force-feeding emotions. When you've got just one tool, you lean on it hard.
―Worship… me!
"Don't just demand it like that outta nowhere."
The spreading wave of intense emotion was eagerly devoured by the black Paradox Flames.
"Get creative."
Hire a pretty girl or handsome guy to say, "Excuse me, we're doing a survey—got a minute to help?"
Even those sketchy cults put in that much effort these days.
I dodged its attacks and tossed out a question.
"What do you think is humanity's greatest physical virtue?"
―Never thought about it. Weak, frail, selfish beasts brimming with malice.
Not entirely wrong, but….
"I asked for the virtue, you virtue-less prick."
I leaped over a vicious scythe swing, wearing a pathetic look. Just say you don't know if you don't. Does it give you mouth sores or something?
"Since you won't answer, I'll tell you. Endurance."
―Damn you.
Harsh words, but I meant it.
"Primitive humans hunted with stamina. They'd chase prey until it collapsed from exhaustion, then finish it off."
Something like, humans beat horses in a 10km race but lose at 50km? Wait, no—vice versa.
Anyway, point was.
"Listen up, fly stew. Today, I'm gonna etch humanity's virtue into your bones."
I whipped the spear through the air, tracing countless blue trajectories.
"Remember this? The thing that was screwing with you so bad earlier."
The chaotic blue paths I'd scattered vibrated, shaving away its mana.
Now, all that was left was to dodge, block, and endure relentlessly until it was utterly exhausted.
And that? Right up my alley. I'd haunt you so bad, you'd think of my face even while burning in hell.