EP.54 Monster Wave (2)
“Damn.”
Something was off. It was an exceptionally strange day.
“Why did I forget Seo Yeong-ho…?”
The personnel check was wrong, and nothing seemed to be going right today. It felt as if he was under some strange influence.
“Let’s focus for now.”
He couldn’t afford to waste time on trivial matters. Choi Ji-hoon immediately went outside the headquarters and shouted loudly.
“Everyone, gather right now! We’re checking personnel again, so hurry!”
His mind had only one thought.
‘Please, let it be nothing.’
He hoped it was just an unexpected event, waiting for the members to gather quickly. A moment later…
“Everyone is here. Captain Choi Ji-hoon!”
The deputy’s voice echoed.
“Good.”
Choi Ji-hoon quickly checked the personnel, counting one, two, three…
“…Twenty-two.”
The total number matched twenty-one, but the actual count was still twenty-two. He hoped the deputy had made a mistake. However, upon rechecking, frustratingly, the count remained at twenty-two.
“Ha….”
Now, Choi Ji-hoon scrutinized the faces of all the hunters. If he found Seo Yeong-ho’s face, it would be okay.
“…”
He thought that way, but Seo Yeong-ho was nowhere to be found.
“Damn it! I’m going crazy.”
His sudden curse surprised the hunters, but Choi Ji-hoon didn’t stop there.
“Everyone, take out your hunter IDs!”
As the leader of the patrol team, Choi Ji-hoon was in charge. Regardless of what was happening, they had to follow the orders of their superior. Hunters quickly pulled out their IDs and presented them.
“Uh… Captain, I’m sorry. I forgot my hunter ID. Left it somewhere…”
Among them, one person didn’t have a hunter ID. Choi Ji-hoon looked at that person.
“Name and rank, speak up!”
Then, he quickly pulled a mana-powered magic gun from his hip.
Choi Ji-hoon pointed the gun at the person without the hunter ID. Even though he was the captain of the patrol team, taking out a gun startled those around him.
“Captain?”
“What’s going on?”
What on earth was this situation?
“Quickly, give me your name and rank!”
When Choi Ji-hoon shouted again, the person in question promptly spoke up.
“D-rank Hunter, Kang Seong-woo!”
However, Choi Ji-hoon’s gun continued to be aimed at him.
“Uh… Captain…?”
Kang Seong-woo, who had revealed his name and rank moments ago, called out to Choi Ji-hoon with a trembling voice.
“Why are you doing this for real…?”
He was almost on the verge of tears while speaking.
However, Choi Ji-hoon kept his gun pointed at Kang Seong-woo.
“Why didn’t you bring your hunter ID?”
Normally, hunters always carried their hunter IDs. But not having one in a situation like this was suspicious.
“Listen, everyone! We have a non-human presence among us!”
His words seemed to be the starting point. All hunters looked at each other, gradually distancing themselves. They especially focused their gaze on one person Kang Seong-woo, the one without a hunter ID.
“No… Why is everyone acting like this?”
Even though Kang Seong-woo desperately spoke, the others paid him no attention. Choi Ji-hoon, in particular, approached Kang Seong-woo bit by bit.
At first, he only intended to threaten. However, something caught Choi Ji-hoon’s eye. Kang Seong-woo’s neck twisted, not just a slight turn but a genuinely eerie, inhuman twist.
‘What?’
It wasn’t just a simple turn of the head, his neck contorted in a strange direction. What could be said about it? It was like he had an inhuman appearance.
In that brief moment, Choi Ji-hoon didn’t hesitate. His previous sight was too chilling.
–Bang! –
A burst of blue mana emitted from Choi Ji-hoon’s magic gun. The mana shot precisely at Kang Seong-woo’s head.
–Thunk! –
Kang Seong-woo let out a short scream before dropping dead.
The most suspicious hunter was eliminated. Yet, Choi Ji-hoon couldn’t feel relieved. He immediately aimed the gun at another hunter standing next to him.
“Name and rank!”
Just as the other hunter was about to speak…
Once again, Choi Ji-hoon witnessed an odd sight. The corners of the person’s mouth subtly lifted, a sneer.
Why would someone suddenly smile now? It was an unsettling grin.
This time, there was no room for doubt.
The person was not a hunter.
–Bang! –
–Bang! –
Two rapid shots echoed consecutively.
“Cough….”
Similar to before, another hunter collapsed, coughing up blood.
However, the problem didn’t end there.
Choi Ji-hoon aimed his gun at another person without hesitation.
–Bang! –
This time, there was no hesitation. He simply pulled the trigger.
Then, he aimed at yet another person.
–Bang! –
By now, the others were in shock.
–Bang! –
“The captain’s gone mad! Stop him!”
Everyone tried to defend themselves, brandishing their equipment.
But Choi Ji-hoon was a B-rank hunter. Not just any B-rank, but one close to A-rank. Moreover, he held the position of the patrol unit leader, indicating exceptional skill.
“Keep defending for now!”
No matter how much they rallied their strength, most of them were, at best, D-rank or C-rank hunters. Except for the captain, there were no other B-rank hunters.
–Bang! –
So, blocking Choi Ji-hoon’s assault became urgent.
But another problem arose.
Choi Ji-hoon, realizing the limitations of his magic gun, drew his sword.
“…”
It didn’t take long.
Choi Ji-hoon swung his sword continuously.
As he regained his senses, the surroundings were covered in scattered pools of red.
“Ah….”
What on earth was happening now?
“I…”
His hands trembled.
His whole body shook.
“What have I done…”
Suddenly, as if he lost his mind, he acted out.
The result was the entire area around the dungeon becoming a sea of blood.
Choi Ji-hoon looked around with vacant eyes.
But he noticed something strange.
“Huh?”
Despite the blood scattered everywhere, there were few corpses.
And in his eyes, an unfamiliar presence appeared.
“Liquid?”
It emitted a blue light.
The liquid gradually moved, forming a distinct shape.
“…Slime.”
Its identity was undoubtedly a slime.
But why was there a slime here?
Choi Ji-hoon stared blankly at the slime.
The blue slime approached the remaining corpses.
Then it started absorbing them.
“…”
So much had happened that Choi Ji-hoon couldn’t keep up with the current situation.
He could only stare blankly at the slime. The confused slime noticed Choi Ji-hoon’s gaze and turned its body.
Soon, the slime began to approach him.
Choi Ji-hoon tightened his grip on the weapon.
Typically, slimes weren’t much of a threat, but this one seemed different. A danger signal flashed in Choi Ji-hoon’s mind.
“…”
However, the slime stopped at a certain distance. Perhaps that was fortunate. In a moment of relief, the slime’s body began to twist.
“Huh…”
Simultaneously, the slime started changing its form. It transformed into a human shape.
“…Deputy?”
Choi Ji-hoon called out to the figure. Before him stood what seemed to be the Deputy in the form of a slime.
Then, the slime in the Deputy’s shape spoke.
“Kick.”
It was an unmistakable sneer.
“Captain Choi Ji-hoon? Since when did you have a Deputy?”
Huh?
What was this presence saying?
Since when did he have a Deputy?
There was always a Deputy under him, right?
“Huh…?”
Choi Ji-hoon expressed his confusion.
Upon reflection, something was off.
Yes, there was supposed to be a designated Deputy.
Surely… who was the Deputy?
Why couldn’t he recall the name?
As Choi Ji-hoon pondered alone, the slime turned its head towards the dungeon.
“As expected, your skills are amazing, aren’t you?”
The closed door of the dungeon opened. Ghouls started emerging.
–Wheeing –
Despite the sirens blaring and monsters coming out, there were no hunters guarding the area.
“Haha, I’ve only received the mercy of the great one.”
Meanwhile, the slime spoke mockingly. Among the group of ghouls, a figure walked out slowly. It was Azmo, the incubus.
====
***
====
Ghouls began to emerge from the dungeon.
In the midst of the ghoul group, Azmo, the incubus, was present.
His appearance radiated masculine elegance and charisma even in the darkness, like a jewel shining in the dark.
The sharp horns extending above his head represented his strength. With a well-groomed appearance, his beautiful muscles were prominently displayed.
His face was sharp, adorned with distinct features.
His eyes carried intelligence and deep insight, as if holding infinite wisdom and secrets.
Sporting a slightly sly smile, he exuded confidence and a dangerous charm in all directions.
Azmo surveyed the area outside the dungeon, now transformed into a sea of blood. It was a sweet sight.
“As expected, Manager Azmo’s skills are remarkable.”
A figure amidst the sea of blood spoke to Azmo.
It was none other than his assistant, Vetter. Though originally a slime, he now took on a human form, showcasing a masterful transformation.
In response to Vetter’s words, Azmo replied.
“I’ve only received the mercy of the great one.”
Azmo smiled.
“I gained new skills thanks to the mercy of our master.”
It was the skill [Distorted Allure].
He had absorbed the incubus bestowed by the master, an unusual act within their species, causing slight discomfort. But looking at the results, he had become even stronger.
[Distorted Allure] – Now, he could charm not only the opposite gender but also the same gender. The effect was relatively minor compared to its impact on the opposite gender, but it could still induce some confusion.
Azmo looked at his hand.
He was undeniably growing stronger.
Many things had happened until now. Initially, he was just an ordinary master leading a small incubus dungeon.
He managed an ordinary dungeon.
“Since when was it…?”
Probably since that day.
The day Lady Celia first descended and helped him. Lady Celia possessed incredible power, effortlessly neutralizing the hunters who invaded the dungeon with a simple gesture.
Azmo was deeply impressed by her abilities.
“I want that power too.”
A primal desire emerged within him.
Until then, Azmo had pursued external beauty rather than raw strength, typical for the incubus species.
However, witnessing Lady Celia’s appearance triggered a significant change in his mindset.
The highest form of beauty. Of course, that was correct.
However, true beauty emanated from strength. Yes, he wanted that strong power too.
Beauty without strength would be engulfed by the surroundings. Strong power was indeed beauty.
Although the species might differ, the desire to enter the presence of Lady Celia, a giant entity, was like a chimney in his heart.
But Lady Celia had spoken to him.
“I’m just a being who follows the great Master.”
Even someone as powerful as Lady Celia had someone to follow.
‘Just how incredible is this great being…’
From that day on, Azmo’s perspective dramatically expanded. However, the surprise didn’t end there.
Looking at the beings who arrived at the dungeon after Lady Celia, Death Knight and Lich, he felt a sense of awe in casually sending such powerful individuals.
And the amazement didn’t stop there.
Azmo witnessed a miracle.
It was the sight of Lich transcending into Arc Lich right before his eyes.
‘Ah, a miracle happened before me.’
At that moment, tears flowed from Azmo’s eyes.
And a single goal emerged.
He wanted to be reborn as a more powerful being himself.
To achieve that, he needed the mercy of a great being.
To receive the mercy of the noble and sublime master, there was one thing needed.
‘Celia mentioned it.’
“Act for the master and spread the master’s will widely in the world.”
Then, someday, the master would show mercy, according to Celia’s words.
‘Spread the master’s will in the world…’
It was easy to guess the master’s will.
If Azmo deduced the contents of what Celia said right away, he could reach one answer.
“The world will kneel before the master.”
And the beginning of that would be initiated by Azmo himself.
“My children!”
Azmo shouted towards the Incubuses.
“And those who have returned from death!”
He shouted towards the Ghouls.
“Go! Go and show the master’s will!”
Following Azmo’s command, Ghouls and Incubuses began to move.
Behind them.
–Clang –
–Thud –
–Thud –
Arc Lich and Death Knight started to follow.
It was the beginning of the monster wave.
“This, this is unbelievable…”
And there was the only human who saw the current scene from the beginning, Patrol Captain Choi Ji-hoon.
“Hahaha…”
A death knight armed with black armor and a sword.
And an undead wizard who even forgot death.
Choi Ji-hoon could only laugh at the current situation.
“There’s no way out of this….”
No, there might not have been any hope for humanity from the beginning.
Choi Ji-hoon aimed the sword he held in his hand at his own neck.
Today was truly a day when nothing went right.
Still, if one thing went well.
At least he could decide his own end with his own hands.
Strength entered his hand holding the sword.
–Thunk –
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