Chapter 198: #Opening of Hunter War (2)

“I am here to escort all the Hunters representing South Korea to the colosseum.”

“Wow, Uncles! That unni is

sooo

pretty! Just like a doll!”

Seong-Yeon’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the elven woman.

The veteran Hunters were unfazed, but Hunters like Sung Mi-Ri and Ko Myeong-Ji, who were participating in the Hunter War for the first time, shared Seong-Yeon’s sentiment.

The elves were labeled as such due to their resemblance to the elven race in Tolkien’s fantasy novels. In truth, they were refugees from another world. Sung Mi-Ri recalled the lesson about elves during class back at the Hunter Academy.

The rise of otherworldly spatial inference phenomena, called gates and dungeons, led to a species crisis for mankind. The monsters that emerged from them, especially the calamitous Despair Dragon, changed the world’s ideology. Human fear of monsters that could strike at any moment far outweighed wars, plagues, and economic collapse—as if they had returned to the prehistoric era, where barbarians feared beasts.

Yet ironically, the solution was also in the gates and dungeons. Through those avenues, the supernatural energy—commonly known as Mana—was introduced to Earth, awakening mankind’s potential and giving birth to a new species: Hunters.

There were also refugees, self-proclaiming to be prophets of harmony and balance. They migrated to Earth through a gate from the fallen otherworld, bringing along wisdom to fight monsters and nurture Hunters. Nowadays, they were known as elves. Their magical knowledge was crucial for the development of Ragnarok (Twilight of Gods), the greatest monster-killing weapon that defeated the Despair Dragon when modern warfare was ineffective against...

Sung Mi-Ri was so busy with Hunter activities back then that she’d often doze off in class. Although she couldn’t recall much about the elves’ history and culture, it didn’t dampen her admiration for them.

Both SSS-rank Hunter Royce and SS-rank Hunter Jack White, who were the world’s strongest Hunters, were elves.

I wish I could talk to them.

Just as Sung Mi-Ri was feeling hesitant, Sung Mi-Na spoke up next to her. “You again? Jack Blond, wasn’t it?”

“Correct, Hunter Sung Mi-Na.” The elf bowed politely.

“Interesting how you name yourselves after your hair color, just like Jack White. Like, isn’t that just careless?”

“We don’t really care. It’s just the name we use on Earth.”

Sss—

The elf’s gaze then fell upon Sung Mi-Ri.

Discerning Magic Eyes.

Jack Blond was bestowed this rare skill by their annihilated god. Moments later

The elf Jack Blond was bestowed upon this rare skill by their annihilated god. Moments later, her golden eyes glowed mysteriously, reflecting the powerful lightning beast lying dormant in Sung Mi-Ri.

“What rare lightning Mana. Hunter Sung Mi-Ri indeed has the potential fitting of her bloodline. Excellent.”

“

Mhm,

great judgment. Of course, she’s my younger sister after all.” Sung Mi-Na remarked, puffing her voluptuous chest proudly. She was like a parent showing off their kid to the teacher.

“

Gosh

, Unni...” Sung Mi-Ri felt like crawling into a hole from the sheer embarrassment.

In truth, Jack Blond’s compliment was backhanded.

Sung Mi-Ri was still too young and inexperienced to harness her dormant power.

Not unless she trains for another hundred years into the future!

𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

However, unlike the elves, Earthlings couldn’t live that long. Jack Blond appraised the other Hunters in the room with her magic eyes. They were mostly S-rank Hunters, the best in this country, but few were up to her standards. She was only mildly interested in Ko Myeong-Ji, who had Death Knight Hades.

Jack Blond was satisfied. She was only worried about two Hunters from South Korea: Gal Joong-Hyuk and his otherworldly armor, and Sung Mi-Na, an SS-rank Hunter. But apparently, Gal Joong-Hyuk had lost his armor.

Without his armor, Gal Joong-Hyuk is just a slightly stronger S-rank Reinforce-type Hunter.

Reinforce-type Hunters were inferior beings who were overly reliant on their slightly enhanced physical strength. In that case, Jack Blond only had to be wary of Sung Mi-Na, albeit she was just a Psychic-type Hunter.

That ability is only troublesome if the other party is of a lower rank than her. Unfortunately, our Great Warrior and High Priest have strong mental barriers!

Jack Blond felt a tinge of twisted joy.

Well, as if a lower-ranked race like the Earthlings stood a chance against us, anyway.

Earth was only ranked eighth. Compared to the elves, who were ranked fourth, the gap between them was as wide as heaven and earth.

However, Jack Blond’s gaze stopped on a group of people.

...Hmm?

Jack Blond rubbed her magic eyes. It wasn’t an illusion. She walked over to the group in a trance.

“Uncle Il-Shin! Uncle Sam-Shin! The elf unni is walking toward us!” Seong-Yeon squealed in excitement.

Meanwhile, Jack Blond remained expressionless, but she was shaking inside, as if she was facing a torrential storm. She was looking directly at Yu Il-Shin.

Why? Why can’t I read him?

“What are you looking at?” Yu Il-Shin frowned at Jack Blond.

How could this be?! He’s just a mere Earthling!

“Unni, Elf Unni! Can I touch your ears?” Seong-Yeon blushed shyly, gingerly tugging at the hem of Jack Blond’s dress.

However, Jack Blond didn’t hear her. Akin to how a human wouldn’t feel an ant crawling on them, a child without any Mana was simply too insignificant.

Thin veins popped from the corner of Jack Blond’s eyes, flashing with a menacing golden glow.

Great! I can see...!

But Jack Blond was shocked beyond words.

T-this!

Like a person who couldn’t see their current situation, his power was too much for her, and she couldn’t recognize it immediately.

Ruuuumble!

Jack Blond shuddered at the deafening noise and jerked her head upward, facing the sky. And there

it

was—a hideous giant, as if all the malice and horror in the world had gathered together. The giant glared down at her like she was some insignificant insect.

Groooowl!

From his open mouth, black smoke spewed out.

-I asked what are you looking at, you long-eared bitch!

“

Kyaaaaa!

” Jack Blond shrieked, collapsing to the ground.

She trembled, breaking into cold sweat. Yu Il-Shin smirked, baring his teeth like a ferocious beast.

“

Keke.

Trying to deceive a god with your puny skills... How absurd.”

“Hey! What are you doing?! Causing trouble again?!” Yu Il-Shin’s older sister slapped him on the back.

“No, she’s the one who started it fir—

Ack!

Stop hitting me!” Yu Il-Shin’s eyes glowered red.

“Did you just yell at your older sister? I’ve been taking care of you, changing your diapers since you were a baby, and now that you’re a Hunter...

Hic, hic!

”

“C-calm down, Noona.”

Seeing his sister sobbing pitifully, Yu Il-Shin was at a loss for what to do. Even as a Malevolent God alter ego, he still recognized her as an important person who’d raised him in place of his deceased parents.

W-what did I just see?

Jack Blond was still stunned and shivering, while Seong-Yeon stared wide-eyed at her.

“Elf Unni? Are you alright?”

“Y-yeah...” Jack Blond replied absentmindedly when she saw

it

again.

A strange little boy, pale as a sheet, held Seong-Yeon’s hand tightly. Feeling her eyes on him, Sam-Shin glared back as well, determined not to lose at the staring contest.

Jack Blond read Sam-Shin using her skill.

“

Hyii!”

What she saw made her heart lurch and sink.

-

Kyaaak!

-

Gaaaah!

-

Aaaaargh!

Save me!

Humans, monsters, and even gods were sucked into a vortex of chaos, their ghastly screams merging into one.

Jack Blond shuddered even more.

W-what are these Earthlings?!

If Yu Il-Shin was akin to a terrifying giant with immeasurable power, then this little boy was akin to a huge black hole.

Gulp!

Then, that same black hole went for Jack Blond.

-Des...troy!

Grrr!

Jack Blond fainted, foaming at her mouth.

“Des...troy!” Sam-Shin grinned triumphantly.

“Oh? Elf unni?” Seong-Yeon looked at the unconscious Jack Blond. She was conflicted for a moment, but eventually succumbed to temptation.

“Wow, Uncle Sam-Shin. This elf unni’s ears are so soft!”

“Des...troy?” Sam-Shin followed suit, reaching for Jack Blond’s ears.

Touch touch—

“Isn’t it soft, Uncle?”

“Des...troy!”

Meanwhile, the president and secretary, who’d witnessed the entire scene, ran up to them in horror.

“Oh my gosh! How can you show such disrespect to the elven envoy! T-this might cause diplomatic issues with America!”

“Ms. Jack Blond! Are you alright? Q-quick, call the medics!”

There was an uproar, but Yu Il-Shin—or rather Yi-Shin showed no interest in the elf. Instead, he stared through the portal that Jack Blond had walked through. Hunters from all across the globe had gathered at the colosseum, connected through that portal.

“I thought this was just a huge dumpster.” He smirked. “But some of them look quite interesting.”

Some Hunters had an aura more powerful than most Low-tier Gods, and even possessed divine weapons.

He was no longer angry at Yu Il-Shin for treating him as a pawn.

“I supposed I’ll enjoy myself for a while.” He smirked, stepping through the portal.

***

Meanwhile, I felt a headache coming on as I watched the entire situation play out.

“

Aigoo

, he’ll be the death of me. I told him not to cause any trouble!”

Regret washed over me belatedly like a

tsunami

wave. Did I make a huge mistake by entrusting the Hunter War to Yi-Shin and Sam-Shin?

-God Yu Il-Shin, are you ready?

Just then, a sound came through my earphones.

“

Huh?

Oh, right.”

Colorful lights surrounded me from all directions.

-Alright, action!