Chapter 75
I’ve grown quite accustomed to the foreign environment now, perhaps due to spending so much time abroad.
And the long-awaited day finally arrived.
The ‘International Hunter Festival.’
An event so exclusive that only the top 0.001% of Hunters worldwide can participate.
It’s more fitting to describe it as a social gathering of the world’s top-tier Hunters who represent Earth.
When I arrived at the venue where the International Hunter Festival was being held, countless cameras lined the entrance. The moment I stepped out of the vehicle, shutters clicked, and flashes erupted from all directions.
“S-rank Hunter Han Ji-an from South Korea! Could we have a word with you?”
“You’ve just cleared the 58th floor, a global first! What’s your secret?”
“You’re famous for your Reawakening; what are your thoughts on that?”
Journalists from around the world were asking questions in Korean, which made me feel slightly embarrassed.
More than that, word had already spread.
The fact that I’d cleared the 58th floor.
“We’re broadcasting live right now! Do you have anything to say to the people of South Korea?”
Oh, it’s a live broadcast? I can’t resist that.
I stopped in my tracks, turned to the reporter who had just spoken to me, and focused on the camera slung over their shoulder.
‘A gentleman’s revenge is never too late, even after ten years.’
“Min Su-han, if you’re watching this, pay back the money.”
I haven’t forgotten how he dismissed me as a D-rank.
Gratitude repaid tenfold, revenge repaid a hundredfold.
“Pfffttt!”
Min Su-han spat out the water he was drinking at the voice coming from the TV.
It was shocking enough that he became an S-rank Hunter, but he even remembered my name?
And to target me live on a global broadcast?
Sure, I may have looked down on him a few times, but wasn’t that his fault for being a D-rank?
Even though he’s now Reawakened as an S-rank, it’s clearly due to luck.
But the gazes around me weren’t kind. Why is everyone looking at me like that?
“That’s the guy, right?”
“I saw him before—he ignored Han Ji-an at the shelter.”
“How could someone offend an S-rank Hunter…?”
“He probably can’t live in this country anymore.”
The flood of harsh comments made my hands tremble.
And, as expected, it didn’t take long for netizens to dig up the details of how I offended one of South Korea’s representative Hunters.
How did things end up like this?
Inside the venue, the atmosphere felt like a high-society party.
Numerous tables were set up, and Hunters I’d seen on TV were chatting with one another, occasionally sneaking glances at me.
They seemed eager to strike up a conversation, but the Hunters surrounding me were making it difficult for anyone to approach.
That’s when a familiar voice called out.
“You’re here?”
“Han Ye-rin, you arrived first.”
She looked at me with a smile, dressed in a black gown with a neckline so revealing that it made me unsure where to look.
“Isn’t it too formal to address me like that, considering our relationship?”
She casually initiated skinship, putting me in an awkward position, just as my dependable younger sister swiftly intervened.
“Ahem, excuse us.”
“Oh my, have you been well, young lady?”
“Who are you calling young lady?!”
She expertly handled my younger sister—was that always her personality?
“Congratulations on clearing the 58th floor.”
“Thank you.”
“They were quite friendly, just as I said, weren’t they?”
Friendly…?
I almost got skewered by a spear the first time I met the Sea People.
If I hadn’t returned their treasure, clearing the floor would’ve been a nightmare.
It could’ve even escalated into a war.
Clearing the 59th floor with the Giants will likely involve war as well.
I once encountered them on the lower floors and knew firsthand how unfriendly they were.
‘I’ll need to prepare thoroughly before moving up.’
“Speaking of which, I wonder what will appear on the 59th floor.”
“Giants.”
“What?”
She stared at me, startled, as if to ask how I knew.
“Oh, I encountered the Giants when I cleared the 21st floor.”
“…….”
When I asked why she looked so shocked, she stammered. What’s going on?
“W-wait, is it possible to descend the Tower?”
“You didn’t know?”
“Uh… Normally, no, right?”
And she had no idea just how critical this information was.
The Hunters eavesdropping on our conversation looked equally flustered, stammering amongst themselves.
“Well, it’s not important information to me, so it’s fine.”
The really important information is something else.
For instance, details about the administrators who manage the Tower.
At that moment, one by one, the lights began to dim, leaving only the spotlight on the host at the front.
“First, I would like to thank all the Hunters gathered here for representing the world. Thank you for protecting humanity.”
With those words, the host bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle before quickly moving on to the next part of the agenda.
All the windows and entrances activated their steel security systems, and the beam projector lit up.
“From now on, what will be discussed is classified as Level 1 Confidential. Please refrain from using any electronic devices.”
Simultaneously, a screen appeared.
On it was an enormous Gate floating over the sea, its size beyond comprehension.
There has never been a Gate generated in the ocean before, so what on earth is this?
“This Gate was observed recently in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Its size and magical energy are unparalleled in recorded history.”
Though it had only recently formed and no monsters had emerged, what kind of creature must be inside to warrant such dimensions?
“We dispatched an exploration team, but all communication was lost the moment they entered.”
They scratched the itch but didn’t fully satisfy it.
They explained that if this Gate opened, it could lead to a completely different world than we’ve ever known, and they asked for our help.
“All the Hunters gathered here are the best representatives of humanity. So, please, I ask this of you—save our species.”
With those words, the host bowed again. This needs to be dealt with before it opens.
At that moment, a hand shot up.
It was Joy, an S-rank Hunter representing the United States, waving her hand enthusiastically to ask a question.
“Yes, Hunter Joy?”
“I won’t go unless South Korea’s Hunter Han Ji-an participates!”
Her bold declaration drew all eyes to me.
Wait, why me all of a sudden?
“Uh… Hunter Han Ji-an?”
Why are you calling me?
…Well, I was going to go anyway, but now my mind has changed.
“If all the Hunters here agree to participate, I’ll join as well.”
Do you think I’ll die alone? I’ll show you what true pettiness looks like.
As a result, all the Hunters in the meeting room expressed their willingness to participate, and only then did I nod in agreement.
Joy looked at me with an exasperated expression, so I made a slicing gesture across my neck and said, “See you later.”
She quickly turned her head away, but I’ll teach her what proper education means.
At that moment, Nika, who had been nestled in my arms, poked her face out and stared at something.
“What’s wrong?”
【There’s a shadow.】
“A shadow?”
【Should I catch it?】
“No, it’s fine.”
Could it be a summon controlled by another Hunter? It wouldn’t do any good to stir up trouble here.
…Did I already cause trouble?
At that moment, Nika asked if she could step out for a bit.
“The meeting room feels stuffy, doesn’t it? Don’t go too far, okay?”
【Got it!】
While monitoring the numerous Hunters gathered in the meeting room and reporting back to its master, the shadow felt a gaze upon it.
The entity was looking directly at me, pinpointing my location.
It doesn’t make sense for them to detect me.
To perceive me while I’m observing from the dimensional rift would mean this entity is akin to the monsters of the 90th floor or higher.
The kind of monsters that can slice through dimensions at will.
‘Unexpected variable.’
I must report this to my master.
As I attempted to exit the meeting room and report back, I sensed a murderous intent. I twisted my body urgently, and the space I had occupied was ripped apart as something emerged.
【You dodged that?】
“W-who are you?”
【Do you want to know?】
Its form slowly began to change, and I realized I had seen it once in my life.
How could I ever forget?
It was the very being that destroyed the world of the Dimension Travelers on the 80th floor and annihilated my entire clan.
Seeing its form made my entire body tremble.
I wasn’t sure if it was from fear or rage.
“…The Demon of the Devastated World.”
【You know of me?】
In this desperate situation, I thought I might escape by tearing through the dimensions, knowing that this entity couldn’t exert its full power.
But it was no use.
It was far stronger than I had anticipated.
How can something wield such power on this planet? This is absurd.
At the same time, the Demon grabbed me and opened its enormous mouth.
“W-why is a demon that should be on the 99th floor here…?”
【Does it matter if you’re going to die anyway?】
And with that, the world went dark.
—
Read More at – GENZNOVEL.COM!!
PLEASE JOIN OUR DISCORD AND SUBSCRIBE THE ROLE TO RECEIVE LATEST NOTIFICATIONS!!
Click here -> https://discord.gg/S8c2kGVr2g
Comment