Chapter 7
“Supporter, you’re amazing! The monsters are getting sliced in a single blow!”
“This is the easiest hunt we’ve ever had!”
“Haha, it’s nothing.”
I feel a bit sorry for my teammates praising me because, in truth, it’s Nika doing all the work.
Nika times her attacks so precisely with the team’s strikes that the monsters collapse instantly.
For low-tier monsters, their bodies vanish upon defeat, leaving only Magic Stones behind.
These Magic Stones are collected and sold to the Association to earn money.
However, since this is a low-tier Gate, the stones are small.
There’s nothing like the large Magic Stones embedded in walls I’ve seen in the past.
But still, small or not, a Magic Stone is a Magic Stone.
The market price fluctuates daily, but as of today, even a small stone is worth over 70,000 won.
Since we’ve already collected more than ten, no wonder everyone’s thrilled.
And we’ve only just started!
If we push forward to the mid-section, we could make a decent profit.
As we ventured deeper, the number of monsters increased, and so did the Magic Stones they dropped.
The routine of hunting monsters, collecting loot, and moving on repeated itself—such is the life of a low-tier party.
Eventually, we reached the mid-section of the Gate.
While taking a break, I could sense the lingering reluctance in my teammates’ eyes.
At that moment, the team leader stood up and gathered everyone for a proposal—to hunt a bit further.
“Thanks to our supporter, the hunt has been incredibly smooth so far. Isn’t it a bit too soon to call it a day? How about we proceed closer to the boss, even if we don’t fight it?”
If a boss is defeated, the Gate disappears.
But if left untouched, the monsters respawn infinitely.
For low-tier Gates, it’s common practice to grind monsters until the Gate is about to collapse, leaving the closure to Association staff.
This method, though risky and exploitative, is considered efficient and remains in use—until an inevitable accident forces change.
That’s just how things always are in Korea.
As I watched my teammates nod in agreement, I also nodded along.
After all, who doesn’t want to earn more money?
I need to pay off my debt and buy my sister something delicious.
“I’m fine with it too. Let’s just not overdo it.”
“Oh, of course. We’ll only hunt a little longer.”
With a small precaution in place, we ventured deeper into the Gate.
Despite this being a D-rank Gate, we encountered three other teams already operating inside.
It seemed unusually crowded today.
There are plenty of Gates, and thus plenty of Hunters, but this many? It feels excessive.
Suddenly, I heard screams and hurried footsteps approaching from deeper within.
What’s going on?
Moments later, a disheveled Hunter came running, his face pale with terror, as he rushed past us without a word.
Sensing something was wrong, our party decided to retreat, turning back—only for a chilling voice to stop us.
【Where are you going?】
The voice echoed from deeper within the dungeon.
It wasn’t human.
No, it didn’t even feel like it belonged to this world.
At the same time, our teammates collapsed to the ground, foaming at the mouth.
The team leader managed to stay upright, barely kneeling on one knee.
“Damn it… why is there a Variant in a D-rank Gate?”
Variant Monster.
These creatures can mimic human speech to some extent and possess incomprehensible strength.
Typically appearing in B-rank Gates or higher, their power ranges from that of a B-rank boss to an S-rank boss—a force of nature.
While their appearances are rare, happening once in about ten years, why did it have to show up now—on a D-rank Gate of all places?
As expected, my instincts were right again.
Should I be proud, or should I despair?
【Let’s play.】
The monster approached us, speaking casually as though inviting us to play.
Its grotesque form resembled a human body with a wolf’s head, and blood dripped from its claws.
At that moment, the team leader let out a battle cry, gripping his greatsword, and stepped in front of me.
“Hurry and escape.”
“Team leader!”
“I’m the leader, after all. It’s my duty to protect my team. Take the others and run!”
With those words, he charged at the monster.
The sight of his back felt colossal, like a towering giant.
Once again, someone willing to sacrifice themselves to save others.
Whoever said humans are selfish and wicked?
A few bad individuals have unfairly tainted the reputation of humanity as a whole.
Every human possesses a noble spirit and love for life.
Normally, I wouldn’t intervene, but… what’s more precious than life itself?
“Nika!”
【Yes!】
With that, Nika dashed out of my arms, knocking the team leader unconscious, before leaping at the monster.
She returned to her original form as she struck.
Her sharp claws pierced the Variant Monster’s abdomen.
【What… are you?】
【Nika!】
Her cheerful voice was in stark contrast to her savagery, as she shredded the Variant Monster into pieces.
Blood splattered everywhere, painting the scene in red.
As I started to relax, thinking the fight was over, something suddenly pierced through Nika’s body.
“Nika?!”
Thick liquid oozed from Nika’s wound as the Variant Monster stood there, laughing like nothing had happened.
What was going on?
Didn’t Nika tear it apart just now?
【Haha! Too weak! Too weak!】
Even as Nika used her clones, the Variant skillfully avoided her attacks, cornering her with taunts.
What could I do?
Wait… didn’t Nika gain a new skill after eating that Growth Stone?
【■■■■■ Veronica】
An ancient being from old texts.
Possesses immense power, capable of being an ally or an enemy depending on its user.
Danger Level: Unmeasurable.
Special Skills: Clone.
Special Mode: Nika ver. 0.1.
Special Mode? What’s that?
There wasn’t time to think.
I shouted for Nika to activate her mode.
Her two clones merged into one, enveloped in a radiant light.
The Variant Monster recoiled in surprise.
【W-what is this?】
As the light faded, a terrifying new form emerged.
Nika’s body had transformed into something covered in sharp, spiky protrusions.
【Die.】
With that single word, Nika vanished.
The Variant Monster exploded with a loud pop!
Fearing it might regenerate, I checked the ground.
Seeing a dropped Magic Stone confirmed its demise.
What just happened?
As Nika approached me, her new form was even more terrifying than before.
Could I faint now too?
【Praise me.】
Does that mean she’ll rip me apart if I don’t?
“G-great job, Nika.”
【Yay!】
With a cheerful voice, she reverted to her cute form with a pop!
She snuggled into my arms as I picked up the massive Magic Stone.
How was I supposed to explain this?
The team leader and the others had been unconscious—perfect alibi.
After waking everyone, the team leader warily asked about the Variant’s whereabouts.
“It ran toward the entrance, sensing a stronger presence.”
“I-I see. But I feel like I saw something terrifyingly monstrous before passing out…”
“Haha, if something like that existed, we’d all be dead, right? Let’s not take any chances—use your Return Stones to escape.”
We activated our Return Stones and were transported outside.
The Association staff stationed at the Gate scrambled after hearing the team leader’s report.
After a brief interview as part of the investigation, I was finally allowed to head home.
On the way back, I saw a message.
【Cooldown has returned.】
“Random Summon.”
【Congratulations! You have obtained melon-flavored ice cream.】
“My sister will love this.”
***
Breaking News: Variant Monster Appears in D-rank Gate.
└What the hell? Why is a Variant in a D-rank Gate?
└Is this a joke? Hardly anyone survived to witness it.
└Of course. If everyone died, who’d confirm it?
└Do we need to risk our lives even in D-rank Gates now?
Breaking News: Variant Monster Disappears.
└It didn’t disappear—it was probably hunted.
└Who could solo a Variant Monster? Are they S-rank?
└Even an S-rank would struggle soloing it.
└If a Magic Stone appears on the Black Market, we’ll know who did it.
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