Chapter 69

“You’re here?” Kang Sejun, who was battling the beast alongside Joo Eun, gasped and took a step back as he noticed her presence. “It’s the first time I’m relieved to see someone else. It’s fortunate to have you with us.”

“I understand why you couldn’t leave this place. If you had come to pick us up, everyone would have died instead.” Gone was Seora’s formal and trembling demeanor, replaced by a fierce and dangerous aura. Touching her now would be worse than fighting a level 1 monster.

He immediately backed away.

“Huh? Wait, wait. Kang Sejun?”

Taking advantage of Joo Eun’s confusion, he pulled him back.

“Yoon Seora…”

Seora frowned at Do Junyoung’s disheveled appearance. She was relieved that she had believed Baek Heewon’s words. If she had waited any longer, she would have lost everyone here, including Yoon Jaehun.

“Don’t worry, Director Do. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“But it’s dangerous.”

“I have enough strength to deliver the final blow. Trust me.” And she did have the energy, driven by her endless anger.

“Elizabeth, stay back this time. I was prepared for my identity to be revealed, but I want to keep our contract a secret.”

Having experienced Park Jinyong’s visit, where the system administrator’s blessing had offered her protection, she knew that relying on it again would alleviate her concerns. However, employing it now would inevitably arouse suspicions among others. Therefore, she resolved to confront the situation independently, without relying on external assistance.

But those were just excuses. Deep down, she simply wanted to rely on her own strength.

[The system administrator whispers to the contractor, encouraging her to do whatever she desires.]

[The system administrator supports the contractor, affirming their capability to accomplish anything.]

That was enough.

As the tension in her body dissolved, her rigid fingers relaxed and bent. The unwavering confidence in her ability to overcome any challenge remained.

“Field Development.”

There was no reason to hesitate any longer.

[Activates the skill ‘Field Control’.]

[Zone setting complete. Temporarily take control of the designated field!]

[‘Hit’ responds to the skill ‘Field Control’. Destruction power increases. Accuracy rate increases.]

[Weapon “Hit” bullets are converted appropriately!]

A massive crimson cube encased the beast’s head, turning the spectators’ eyes wide as they felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

Seora aimed her weapon at the demonic beast, its intense gaze fixed upon her.

Bang!With a resounding bang, the trigger was pulled, unleashing an explosion of even greater force than before, likely due to the accumulated skill experience. The destructive power surpassed that which had slain the Harpoon Snake, scorching the level 1 monster’s entire body. However, its fire attribute allowed it to endure.

However, with the swing of its hind leg, which had struck Yoon Jaehun, the creature shattered the cube. Blood instantly trickled from Seora’s lips. Indeed, level 1 monsters proved to be remarkably formidable.

“This is vastly different from the Level 2 Harpoon Snake. Is there such a significant gap between levels?”

“That’s because the snake was a newborn then.”

Ah, Kang Sejun’s explanation convinced Seora.

“Do you need my help?”

“No, I’m fine,” Seora retorted, spitting out the blood in her mouth and rejecting Jarim’s offer. She couldn’t back down simply because the cube had been destroyed once.

‘I’ll have to employ the skill differently.’

Upon acquiring a skill, Awakened ones instinctively grasped its primary usage. However, utilizing it effectively in combat required personal contemplation on the part of the Awakened.

Seora was no exception. Through multiple battles, she had learned how to harness this skill.

Seora had discovered a multitude of applications for her skill ‘Field Control’—she could make it explode, capture ghosts, use it as a footrest, and immobilize enemies to protect her allies.

This advantage stemmed from her spatial ability.

“Field Redeployment.” Her crimson left eye once again surveyed the terrain.

This time, it didn’t just focus on the beast’s head or its entire body, but the entire space in which it rampaged—a range that would spare her allies from its area of effect. The illusion was so convincing that it seemed as if the ground before them was entirely bathed in red.

With utmost seriousness, Seora aimed the cube, gripping the trigger with unwavering determination and holding her breath.

Bang!A bullet infused with all her mana pierced through the entire space.

“…Oh my god,” Jarim exclaimed as she observed from the sidelines. She wasn’t alone. Kang Sejun, Do Junyoung, the oblivious Joo Eun, and even those farther away were astonished.

“This is insane… What is that?”

As soon as the bullet penetrated the red cube, it fragmented into dozens, or perhaps hundreds, of projectiles that filled the interior. Relentlessly, the bullets assaulted the beast without respite. Even if the creature managed to dodge some bullets, others found their mark, creating holes in its body that resulted in small explosions upon impact.

As the number of bullets dwindled and Seora’s mana depleted, the cube brimmed with red blood resembling molten lava. When the beast finally succumbed, drained of all power, not a single bullet remained.

The scene before them was truly awe-inspiring, even for the seasoned S-classes who had conquered numerous dungeons.

“…Headbang?” Joo Eun muttered involuntarily. “Kang Sejun-ssi, w-what is this?”

“Hush. It’s not over yet,” Kang Sejun replied, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on Seora.

It was peculiar. Seora was still an S-class, but for some reason, Kang Sejun couldn’t take his eyes off her back. It was as if he was facing the strongest opponent.

Crack, crack. As Seora released her field, the beast collapsed with a heavy thud, blood gushing out in a torrent.

The stench of sulfur filled the air. Everyone covered their noses to escape the putrid odor, but Seora approached the fallen creature without a hint of concern.

“That took quite a while.”

The beast’s face, submerged in lava and hot blood, was a sight of utter devastation. Its tail and legs were torn off, the newly formed head severed, and its once unblemished skin torn and tattered.

Amidst the carnage, Seora stared directly into the struggling red eyes. “Twelve years. Yeah, for twelve years…”

This wasn’t the winter when her mother had passed away. Yet, strangely, that bitterly cold day seemed to replay itself in her mind. The day her mother’s blood had stained the white snow like a crimson flower.

How had this vile creature looked at her mother with those eyes?

“I wanted to kill you.”

After attaining the status of an S-class, she could have done whatever she pleased, even quitting if she wished. Song Hanna would have honored her decision had she sincerely chosen to leave. And yet, Seora had continued to remain in the association, making various excuses, all because of this very reason.

Despite possessing abilities no different from ordinary individuals and enduring constant insults, Seora clenched her teeth and persevered, all for this moment.

She could access this place as long as she was affiliated with the association’s headquarters, even as an F-class.

For 12 years, from the age of 10 until now, Seora had honed her blade to kill this creature with her own hands. Funny enough, she hadn’t realized this truth until she faced the dying beast. She didn’t know if she had been lying to herself all this time or if she had quietly sharpened her blade without even realizing it.

But one thing was certain.

“Finally, that wish has come true.”

Her desire to kill it was genuine.

Seora altered the form of her weapon, Hit. It transformed into a shotgun revolver.

Did this creature remember this gun, with its stunning silver appearance that contrasted its ignorant destructive power? It had been her mother’s—a combat shooter—primary weapon.

Seora, remembering every detail of its shape and pattern, placed the gun against the beast’s forehead. “Now, stop vanishing.”

Bang! The roar and the beast’s labored breathing ceased entirely.

The blood of the lethal creature was undeniably hot, sticky, and repulsive… Yet, Seora felt a sense of relief. The bloody battle that had persisted for 12 long years had finally reached its conclusion.

[The boss beast of the Level 1 dungeon ‘Lava Field’ has died!]

[Top Contributors: Yoon Jaehun (S-class), Kang Sejun (L-class), Anonymous (S-class)]

The long-awaited message reverberated like a triumphant fanfare, filling the air with a sense of accomplishment.

Yet, the list of contributors didn’t stop there.

[Hyun Jaehee (S-Class)]

“…”

Tears finally streamed down Seora’s cheeks as she gazed at the last name on the list. Her trembling hands gently touched the familiar name—her mother’s name that the system still remembered after 12 long years.

Her mother had been an incredibly strong person.

“…Hahaha. I don’t think my brother and I will ever surpass our mother in our lifetimes,” Seora whispered, burying her face in her hands. A smile emerged from her lips, but tears continued to flow unabated.

The joy of finally achieving it, the exhilaration of obtaining revenge, and the mix of emotions that needed to be released—Seora was overwhelmed with indescribable feelings, unsure of how to express them.

Mom, can you see? Dad, are you watching? We did it. My brother, me, and the Hunters, we did it together.

In the end, we all accomplished it.

“Mom…”

Overwhelmed by exhaustion, Seora’s body gave way, and she collapsed onto the blood-stained floor. Even the heat rising from the pool of blood couldn’t match the intensity of the emotions raging within her.

“Seora,” Jarim attempted to approach her but halted in her tracks.

A warm radiance enveloped Seora’s hair as she emitted a mixture of laughter and tears.

On this dark night when the sun refused to rise, there could only be one entity capable of exuding such a beautiful golden glow—the system administrator who held deep care and affection for Seora.

[The system administrator comforts the contractor.]

Seora’s tear-filled eyes fixated on the message before her.

A gentle sensation akin to a caress, brushed through her hair, traced her forehead, and gently tapped her shoulder. Involuntarily, she reached out her hand, and an ethereal light intertwined with her scarred hands, as if they were holding each other.

Seora was overcome with emotion. Tears welled up once again, but this time, they carried a mixture of different feelings.

[A lot of achievements have been reached. Experience goes up. Skill level up!]

[Skill ‘Field Control’ is upgraded to ‘Space Control’! Stats fluctuate!]

[A new title has been granted. The overall rating is readjusted!]

[Comprehensive Evaluation Value]

Magic Power: Class L

Mana Sensitivity: EX

Combat Strenght: Class L

Title Assignment: Complete

Entity Contract: Not possible

Awakening Limit: None

=====

[The Awakened Information]

Name: Yoon Seora (L-class)

Title: System Administrator’s Contractor (EX), Ruler of Space (L-class), Sniper Who Watched the Battlefield (S-class), A Thousand Masks (A-class)

Characteristic: Unique ability field—Sniper

Entities in Contract: None

Special Note: The sole contractor of Planet—Earth’s administrator

[Congratulations! The third L-class Awakened was born in Korea!]

The increase in her rating due to the advancement of her abilities was accompanied by a message sent to all Awakened individuals in Korea.

Yet, Seora couldn’t bask in the delight of her elevated rank for long. There was another message that only she could see, demanding her immediate attention.

[The rating of the sole contractor has been raised. Synchronization is in progress.]

[Sync Progress — 16%, 17%, 18%…]

[Sync 30% complete]

Synchronization. The message, unfamiliar to her, left Seora greatly perplexed.

What on earth is this? What does synchronization mean?

Then, another notification caught her attention:

[The system administrator’s voice transmission has been enabled.]

Voice transmission function? From the system administrator?

Hold on a moment…

[“Seora.”]

Ah. Unbeknownst to her, a voice gently brushed against her tear-streaked cheeks.

[Quite a long translator’s note:]

For quite some time now, I’ve been aware of the lackluster quality of my work in this blog, particularly in this series, which happens to be my first Hunter novel. I must say, dear readers, there’s no need to sugarcoat it. While I once believed it to be close to perfection, an opportunity to work on an “official” novel commission opened my eyes to the truth—I’ve been churning out subpar content. In my defense, managing nine different series simultaneously has left me insufficient time to dedicate to each title.

With this chapter, I want to show you true capabilities when given the necessary time. I wish to re-edit the entire novel to match this level of quality. However, despite the immense support and love I’ve received for this series, I am currently unable to invest more time into it. I won’t deceive you; I would consider revamping it with sufficient financial backing. But until then, please bear with the imperfections in the current format.

Rest assured, starting from Chapter 89, the novel will maintain this improved quality. I cannot deny that the previous chapters will weigh heavily on my conscience. Regrettably, there is little I can do about it at present.

Thank you for the love you’ve showered this series!