“Always a thought on my mind…”
Every time Yeonseo’s chilling words ended, the space fragmented and equipment shattered.
“Truly a tiresome bunch.”
The infectious spatial fragmentation shattered the laboratory piece by piece. Destruction repeated and everything turned to ash.
And the unreported unidentified Awakened Ones seemed to be waiting for Yeonseo; as soon as she used her spatial movement, they ambushed her from behind.
“Did you actually expect this old lady to come here?”
Creak!
“I ought to call them ‘Dae Yeonseo weapons,’ not just artificial Awakened Ones.”
In reality, all the mechanical means attacking Yeonseo had a bit of resistance against her abilities. The infectious nature of the spatial fragmentation slowed down or created even a slight backlash against Yeonseo’s powers, with needles shooting through space.
However, Yeonseo hadn’t carried the title of the strongest Hunter for over 60 years for nothing. With a flick of her finger, she countered all the attacks that ordinary humans could hardly detect.
Snap.
Twist.
Counterattack.
Crush.
“Director Lee, so this is the end of the confirmed locations?”
[That’s correct. The locations identified by the National Intelligence Service and the International Hunter Association are all there is.]
The voice of Director Lee, supporting Yeonseo, flowed next to a drone. Although he was typically bullied by Yeonseo, he was actually the only supporter who could assist her, having experience from when she was active as a Hunter.
[Most of the identities remain unverified, but there are individuals registered as unidentified Awakened Ones. They appear to be criminals or unregistered individuals within China…]
“No, these are not humans.”
[Huh?]
“Director Lee, have you ever seen deep-sea fish dragged ashore, oozing blood and entrails from every hole in their bodies?”
[Ugh, no, I haven’t.]
“Ever heard of dead bodies suddenly turning to powder and crumbling for no reason?”
[Even with Fire Awakened Ones, such occurrences are unheard of. An Awakened One, once dead, is just a corpse like any human. Dead is just meat. That’s all.]
“Regardless, I’ve never heard of a person dying and rotting away into such a horrifying form.”
[………]
Director Lee understood that the example Yeonseo just described was unfolding right before her eyes.
[….Are you okay?]
“Why would I be? I’ve seen much worse.”
With an air of nonchalance, Yeonseo shrugged off the horrifying twisted remains before her, sending them away with a flick of her finger.
The bizarre bodies and equipment, which appeared to be non-human, along with fragments, were to be investigated by the scientific forensic teams and psychometry-capable Awakened Ones that the Yeon Family had prepared in advance.
“How’s the situation above?”
[Well, it’s not really going as smoothly as we hoped.]
“What do you mean?”
[Many lawmakers are skeptical about Yeonseo’s claims.]
Even though the Hunter era had arrived, the lawmakers who made policies and constructed the legislative branch were still remnants of a bygone era.
Thanks to Yeonseo, at least in Korea, society and laws were adapting to the Hunter age, but few lawmakers were willing to take the words of someone returning with the fragments of the Demon King seriously.
Some stated it was absurd.
“Weren’t they just watching too many movies or novels?”
Others claimed the returnee must’ve brought back the fragments upon returning to Earth.
Then they absurdly suggested the returnee Isia should take responsibility for it.
It was easy to deduce their psyche.
Those in higher social strata or with vested interests disliked change and lived only to maintain the status quo.
Claiming to represent the people, they were ultimately only concerned about their own safety—these were the vested interests.
Nothing changed before and after the Great Rift.
While they could be overlooked since they were somewhat useful, it was inevitable that they began to become a bother.
‘Those damn fools are just as annoying now as they were in the 2030s.’
They never change.
Should I start cleaning house soon…?
Yeonseo suppressing her murderous intent began to ponder seriously.
[Yeonseo, it’s about time to return. So far, the location has been dismissed as an unregistered laboratory by the Chinese government, which doesn’t acknowledge its existence, but the Public Security Awakened Ones will soon detect your presence.]
The place Yeonseo attacked was a remote area in China, near the most recently confirmed gate.
It wasn’t just San Guilds secret laboratory.
There were various warehouses and research facilities that belonged to criminal organizations or unidentified groups of unknown names. In those places, there were piles of the fragments of the Demon King Shards referred to by Shia, as well as other bizarre creatures and minerals that were quite unsettling.
‘Just as Shia said, the fragments have already begun to invade our world. No, not just began… perhaps, they’ve been here much longer than I thought.’
Fragments of the Demon King.
At first, it sounded like a ridiculous story worthy of a novel. I felt no real danger from it.
However, witnessing members of the San Guild, who were originally not S-grade, exert excessive power, Yeonseo sensed severe distortion and danger from these so-called fragments of the Demon King.
That they were substances that shouldn’t exist on this Earth.
“How much time is left?”
[3 minutes… no, in 2 minutes, the Public Security Awakened Ones will arrive at the site.]
“I’d better go.”
Snap!
“Man’s desire to reach the heavens leaves humanity behind on glass and stone.”
Well, it was always like this.
Not surprising at all.
[Compression]
As Yeonseo snapped her fingers, all of space distorted.
Buildings shattered and decomposed.
The artificially created lifeless bodies similar to humans also shattered and disappeared. All structures, including fragments and equipment, seeped into the cracks of the space Yeonseo created.
All that remained was dust.
○○○○
A short while later, the ascension battle ended.
And in all media outlets, including smartwatches, newspapers, news, and the Hunter forums, a whopping headline blared.
[Final Results Announcement of the S-grade Ascension!]
[New S-grade Hunter Icicle Nine – Yeonhwa!]
[Yeonhwa, the only heir of a living legend?]
[Within a month of becoming a formal Hunter, she ranks up to A-grade, and within half a year, she’s become an S-grade Hunter! Who is she?]
[Love calls flood in from both China and America! But Yeonhwa has declared her intentions to stay in Korea…]
[A total of 439 Hunters and Awakened Ones challenged this promotion. Ultimately, the youngest challenger, Yeonhwa, proudly ascends to the S-grade position. Reporter on site…]
Basically, the fact that the S-grade promotion battle was starting was enough to create a festival atmosphere across all of Korea, but after over ten years, the birth of a new S-grade caused a massive celebration from the entire citizenry.
The youngest-ever S-grade Hunter.
On top of that, Yeonhwa, a living legend, achieved S-grade even faster than her grandmother Yeonseo did when she first acquired it, attracting attention from every sector.
“Yeonhwa! You’ve become the protagonist of the S-grade Hunter formation after 11 years, how do you feel?”
“Congratulations on your promotion!”
“How did the other Hunters react?”
“I want to hear your aspirations as Yeonseo’s granddaughter and potential future leader of the Hunter community!”
“This is Jeong Moon-su from the weekly entertainment news! There’s a rumor about you dating an idol member…!”
Thanks to all this, Yeonhwa quickly found herself bombarded with ridiculous interview requests as soon as the ascension battle ended.
Of course, there were requests from normal and respectable journalists as well.
There were even requests for her to give a national speech at the National Assembly.
And besides all this, certain gossip-hungry tabloids and shameless reporters flocked to her like bees, leaving Yeonhwa needing to reject hundreds of chaotic interview requests.
Even as the noble lady of the Yeon Family, there was no escaping the national interest surrounding her.
Of course, thanks to Yeonju’s measures, who was a significant figure in the Hunter Association, most journalists’ access was quickly blocked in less than a day, but Yeonhwa couldn’t help but feel a chill, even for a moment.
“No, a rumor about dating? I didn’t even know that idol existed! Where on earth did that reporter come from?! This is absurd.”
“Why? He’s handsome, isn’t he?”
“Unnie, don’t say that. Really.”
Wearing large sunglasses like a celebrity or actor, Yeonhwa complained while sipping coffee with Shia at a café.
Hahaha “Certainly, an idol and a Hunter, a combination that doesn’t quite match and yet somehow does.”
“Don’t laugh, unnie! Do you know how ridiculous this is? With the exception of you, I hardly ever hang out with anyone in cafes for coffee. Ever since entering the academy, I barely even watched TV. I’m just watching your broadcasts and a few Hunter broadcasts, and now, an idol? I’ve never seen him before!”
“Nevertheless, congratulations. Everyone’s just happy for you.”
Over ten years had passed since a new S-grade Hunter was born.
And she did so without using any sort of tricks. Proudly exhibiting her strength and skill among the esteemed, refined Hunters, she legitimately reached S-grade.
It was only natural that the nation’s attention would focus on her, especially since she was the granddaughter of the strongest Hunter, Yeonseo, creating a synergistic explosive effect.
‘Perhaps this was louder than Korea’s advancement to the semifinals in the 2002 World Cup.’
Shia also wasn’t born back then, but she heard it was absolute chaos during that time.
“Still, congratulations. Hehehe.”
“….I really appreciate it. Honestly, I’m happy too. However, it’s just so different from what I expected…”
“You did well. You did well.”
But feeling Shia’s hand patting her head with pride, Yeonhwa’s face slightly flushed.
“Our silly girl. You did amazing.”
“…I’m not a silly girl anymore. Please call me Icicle Nine now.”
“Okay, got it, silly girl.”
“Sigh, unnie…”
While she definitely didn’t like the nickname ‘silly girl,’ Shia was still one of the few people who could offer her heartfelt congratulations.
“Yeonseo Unnie is very busy right now; it seems she’s dealing with something serious.”
“Sigh, that can’t be helped. Grandma has always been busy.”
“Were you upset?”
“Of course not. When I was younger, I felt a bit sad because Grandma couldn’t make it to a few of my birthdays, but looking back, she was saving people.”
“Seems like you’ve matured, our silly girl?”
Shia watched Yeonhwa with pride as she enjoyed her eighteenth consecutive chocolate latte.
“Actually, I was initially supposed to compete in the promotion battle with you… Sorry.”
“It’s family matters. You did what you needed to do; you shouldn’t feel regret. By the way, um… is mother doing well?”
“Yeah, we’re living together now! Hehehe.”
“That explains why you seemed so cheerful today.”
In truth, Shia was smiling for reasons beyond that.
Yeonhwa being promoted to S-grade was indeed a joyous event.
Being able to live again with her mother Yoonjeong was also a matter of happiness.
But, at this moment, what brought Shia the most joy was probably the realization that ties from her past life were reaching out to her again.
Hehehe, I’m happy. So happy.
Hehehehehe.
Sadness?
Of course, it’s sad.
Guilt from the past and karma manifested as the Skeleton Knight, Tia. Yet, that Tia claimed to have forgiven her.
Despite being a person as different as she could be, having no memories left, Tia still said she would forgive her.
Moreover, just the fact that Tia existed in this world gave Shia hope that she might once again meet the people she really wished to see.
Though it was a slim chance.
There was no telling how they might meet, let alone if it could take one year, ten years, or perhaps even over a hundred years. But as long as she was alive, who knows?
Just that thought itself brought a tiny hope of meeting Menelepi or Teresa again, and to have been forgiven by Tia gave Shia the highest high she’d felt recently.
While feeling glee, Yeonhwa took a sip of Americano while looking at Shia and asked.
“Is mother at home now?”
Cases of returnees finding their parents are quite rare, and Yeonhwa thought she should at least greet Shia’s mother.
Fundamentally, Yeonhwa treated Shia like her real sister.
Since she considered Shia the one who saved her life, she felt she must greet the woman who had given birth to Shia.
“Yeah, she said she’d teach me Korean!”
“Yane? Who’s that?”
Yeonhwa’s expression momentarily stiffened at the unfamiliar name.
“Do you remember the Rotten Mountain?”
“The Rotten Mountain dungeon? The one where you officially broadcasted for the first time?”
“Yeah! The one where I made delicious Centipede Dragon fries!”
“…..R-right.”
Unsure of its taste, even though Shia hadn’t seen her previous broadcasts, she always caught up on Shia’s most recent episodes.
While not necessarily meaningful to discuss taste, Shia’s first impression from her broadcast at Rotten Mountain became a piercing memory on the Hunter forums.
From her debut, the nickname ‘Demoness Saint’ took root. And the fact she caught an S-grade monster, the Centipede Dragon, in under 10 seconds, had been broadcasted perfectly. Even now, millions of users on the Hunter forums believed Shia possessed S-grade power, despite her failure to rank up to S-grade.
However, it was true that Shia had given up the promotion battle for Yoonjeong’s sake, and the netizens who only frequented the forums didn’t know all the details, hence the mixed public opinions post-promotion.
“Yane is the Lucky Bladed Centipede!”
“…Huh?”
“She was cute even before, but now, she’s even cuter?”
“………”
Wait, what?
How is that cute?!
Yeonhwa envisioned a gigantic centipede with countless feet crawling all over the place.
As a Hunter herself, she wasn’t afraid of seeing enormous bugs, but how could a centipede stretching over meters be considered cute from an objective and aesthetic standpoint?
Even though she always knew her sister had a quirk, the bizarre comments were simply far too much for Yeonhwa to adjust to.
Well, despite that, Shia was still a pretty good sister. One that Yeonhwa wanted to be with.
“Plus, now she even speaks?”
“…Speaks?”
“Yeah, though most of it consists of curses like ‘f*ck’ or ‘feed me’ or ‘go away’.”
“………..”
What am I even hearing?
Yeonhwa vaguely knew Shia wasn’t lying, but even still, the statement made no sense to her.
A centipede saying f*ck? Or asking for food?
What? Is that really a centipede?
“Hehe, next time you visit our house, I’ll introduce you to Mother and show you Yane. She’s truly adorable like me!”
“Ah, sure…”
A “centipede” resembling Shia…
What on Earth could that creature be?
Yeonhwa could only nod awkwardly at Shia, who seemed strangely cheery.
Yeah, she is definitely a good sister. But she really does say some strange things sometimes.
Thud!
“….Huh?”
Boommm…!
“Unnie?”
“………”
“What’s wrong? Are you tired of the chocolate latte? Your expression suddenly changed…”
And the next moment, Shia’s cheerful face hardened abruptly.
Noticing the subtle change in the air surrounding Shia, Yeonhwa felt a heavy weight settling in.
“Silly girl.”
“Unnie?”
“Something’s coming.”
Boom!
[Miracle – Orphan’s Sanctuary]
“What’s coming… huh?”
Suddenly, Shia manifested a miracle in the city square, and the barrier formed by that miracle enveloped both Yeonhwa and Shia, expanding to cover the café building and the surrounding area.
As people passing by wondered “Huh? What’s going on?” the sky began to turn a deep red.
“……..”
“…….Emasculation…?”
Dungeon Emasculation.
It was an occurrence where a previously intact reality was suddenly swallowed by a dungeon gate, transforming that area into another realm, an event witnessed only during the Great Rift Era.
Fortunately, it seemed that the air and atmosphere hadn’t been polluted, as the Orphan’s Sanctuary that Shia had spread out didn’t detect any foreign substances.
Shia deactivated her miracle and gazed at the suddenly reddened sky.
“Is it possible the Great Rift…?”
The Great Rift.
The First Great Rift was the first calamity where the Earth was overrun by monsters and gates. The Second Great Rift was a warning sign shaking the stabilized Hunter era.
Of course, there was no certainty that what was currently happening was the Third Great Rift.
However, the sudden emergence of a dungeon gate that consumed scaled areas of the city itself was undeniably an emergency situation.
“Why is a crack appearing in the safe zone…?”
“Are you okay, silly girl?”
“Yeah. But this….”
The place where they had been was the bustling Hapjeong Station and Hongdae area of Seoul, which had never been devastated during the First or Second Great Rift, thus designated as a safe zone.
Caught off guard by this sudden phenomenon, Yeonhwa couldn’t hide her bewilderment.
However, having just been promoted to S-grade, she skillfully drew forth her sword and gathered her mana.
Now, poised and ready to freeze whatever anomaly might arise to protect the people.
[Wheeeeee!]
[Alarm, alarm, alarm!]
[Dungeon Emasculation in progress! Dungeon Emasculation in progress!]
[Civilians, please evacuate immediately! Please evacuate immediately!]
“This is… quite an emergency.”
“…Sigh, it began as a good day…”
Upon hearing the late alarm bells blaring due to the sudden situation, Shia and Yeonhwa immediately sprang into action from their seats.
‘Damn creatures…’
From the red sky and foul air, Shia could smell the sweet rotten scent of malice.
A scent that was unforgettable… no, one that she couldn’t possibly forget. Despite that, Shia cracked a wicked smile, unaware to Yeonhwa.
Ah, of course.
I was feeling good for once…
How dare you interrupt?
I rather like this.
You’ve come right to me.
No need to trudge there.
