I Awakened as a Dark History - Chapter 15

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 15
Flowers of every color bloomed all around, suffusing the interior with a soft, ethereal glow.
The light pooled within the petals cut through the haze that had been spreading outward.
Those who had been struggling to their feet now stumbled and collapsed, wisps of shadow rising from their bodies.
And they were not the only ones.
Black smoke poured from those who had merely been sleeping.
Baek Mun-il formed an Ice Spear in his hand and watched the flow of smoke with careful attention.
The smoke rushed swiftly toward him—or more precisely, toward the Tiara he held.
The Tiara, which had felt devoid of any magical power, now radiated an ominous light.
Even my eyes, untrained in magic, could see that power had taken root within it.
Crack—
At the same moment, the smoke gathered within the Tiara became sharp as a blade and swept down upon Baek Mun-il.
He moved with fluid grace, hurling the Tiara toward the stage.
A sharp hiss escaped his lips.
Still, he had been a fraction too slow—a deep wound opened across his hand.
Fortunately, the effect of Blooming had not yet worn off, and the wound vanished in an instant.
The Tiara floated upward, and beneath it the smoke took on a vague human shape.
Against the black smoke, only crimson lips stood out in sharp relief.
Twisted with fury, those lips erupted in a roar.
“[How dare you! How dare you! I am the Queen of Dreams! No one can drive me from dreams! No one!]”
Well, for a Demon Beast that had just been expelled, that was quite the grandiose declaration.
Baek Mun-il paid no heed to its words, pushing off hard against the ground with explosive speed.
He launched a series of attacks aimed directly at the Tiara.
But black smoke lashed outward in all directions like tentacles, catching every Ice Spear.
Crack—!
“Tch—”
Baek Mun-il moved even faster, using my grunt as mere backdrop.
As he struck at the Tiara again, the black smoke undulated and swelled.
“[No one can escape from dreams!]”
The smoke’s purpose, spreading like a web in all directions, was obvious as daylight.
Baek Mun-il blocked the smoke’s advance with ice while continuing to hurl spears and arrows without cease.
I fluttered my wings frantically, evading the smoke’s assault.
Even as I dodged, my eyes tracked the spears and arrows that plunged uselessly into floor and wall.
The spears and arrows, though loosed from Baek Mun-il’s hands, remained solidly frozen, holding their ground.
Increasingly dense, encircling the smoke.
‘Ah…’
I think I understand what Baek Mun-il is doing.
‘Then…’
I can help with this.
“Flowers,
wake and swallow it whole.”
I placed my hand against the floor and whispered softly.
‘It won’t have heard, will it?’
Fortunately, the black smoke paid me no attention at all.
And because of that, it had no way to defend against me.
Creak-crack-crack—
The entire wooden stage began to rise.
Wood sprouted upward; verdant stems thick with green leaves passed through or ensnared the smoke.
The smoke moved upward, seeking escape between the trees.
The wood, helpless against it, snapped and cracked, yielding a path.
But that was precisely what I wanted.
The first thing to be exposed outside as it forced its way through the wood was…
“Got you.”
Boom—!!
Inevitably, the Tiara.
The Ice Spears and arrows that had been lodged in walls and ceiling extended like icicles, piercing through the Tiara.
Like serpents that had been waiting for their prey to strike.
“[Kyaaaaaaah!!]”
A shrill scream tore through the air, sharp enough to split the ears.
Then, as Baek Mun-il flicked his hand, the ice shifted, driving the Tiara completely down to the floor.
Crash.
The Tiara, its red gems and gold setting scattered to pieces, and the voice cut off.
The fate of the black smoke was no different.
“Oh, it’s fading.”
I lifted my head and stared blankly at the dissipating smoke.
As my vision cleared, a system window appeared.
[“Curse of Mongma” has been completely cleared.]
[Your contribution rank: 2nd place.]
First place—I hadn’t expected that anyway.
I watched Baek Mun-il approach me without a trace of disappointment.
His face remained composed; there was no sign of fatigue or excitement from the battle.
“That final support was excellent. We make a pretty good team, don’t we?”
“Indeed.”
I brushed off the praise carelessly using my Office Worker Skill.
Truth be told, I felt a little proud myself, but there was no reason to show it in front of others.
He glanced around the arena.
“Even with conditions on the healing, a healer with both Debuff Removal and healing capabilities like that… that’s got to be at least B-rank or better.”
Ah, a seasoned veteran after all.
He murmured while assessing my rank without my saying a word.
There was something unusual flickering in his dark eyes.
“Have you ever thought about joining a guild?”
I had. Very much so. Especially depending on the salary—quite a lot.
Just one problem stood in the way.
“Ha… ha… yes, not yet. I’m still thinking it over.”
If only this stain on my record didn’t exist, I’d welcome it with both hands right now!
Baek Mun-il regretted my answer but didn’t press further.
Instead, he took out his wallet and produced a Business Card, extending it to me.
“If you change your mind later, contact me here.”
I accepted the Business Card with both hands.
“That’s my personal number. Even if you don’t join the guild, if you ever need help with Hunter work, you can call.”
“Really… to that extent?”
There’s no such thing as kindness without a price.
I’d learned and etched into my heart that kindness has its limits.
Baek Mun-il smiled, lifting the corners of his mouth.
“We fought together, so now we’re comrades and friends, wouldn’t you say?”
Was he just naturally friendly? Or was he taking care of me because I was a healer?
Didn’t the Haje Guild have its own healers?
I had my doubts, but I didn’t voice them here.
I’d look into it later.
“Skills that combine both Debuff Removal and healing aren’t common. Once word gets out, you’ll have a lot of trouble. Call me when that happens.”
“Thank you so much.”
“That way I can ask for a favor later too.”
Baek Mun-il smiled without any hint of malice.
With playful warmth in his expression, I found myself momentarily spellbound.
I’d thought his face was cold and sharp, befitting a major guild master—but when he smiled like that, his impression changed completely.
A light, comfortable atmosphere emanated from him, as if he were an easily approachable friend.
Already handsome, with such an extreme shift in expression, I couldn’t tear my eyes away.
So even though what he said—about exchanging favors—was calculating in nature, it didn’t sound bad at all.
I understood why people fangirled over Hunters.
So I nodded once, signaling my agreement.
A ping.
My Synchronization Rate rose again.
No, isn’t this too much for someone who’s trying to help?
Did he notice it showing on my face?
“Ugh…”
And just then, a groan escaped from the person lying collapsed on the ground.
I hurriedly gathered my hair and tucked it inside my clothes, then pulled my hood down.
Baek Mun-il waved his hand in farewell.
“If the chance comes up, we should meet again.”
“Yes.”
I wondered if such a coincidence would happen again, but I slipped out of the Auction House without incident.
By the time I’d left the building entirely and reached the Subway, I’d already released my synchronization.
* * *
The Hunter Association’s Security Team and the Haje Guild’s Conquest Team entered the Henket Building simultaneously.
“Guild Master of Haje.”
“Guild Master!”
The Security Team’s leader and a member of the Conquest Team called out to the same person at once.
Baek Mun-il, who had been sitting in a chair at the Auction House, stood up.
“You’re both late.”
The Hunter from the Association lowered his head slightly, his expression sheepish.
“The report came in late. It seems Henket took quite a while to assess the situation. It appears the space itself was isolated somehow—would you mind explaining what happened to Guild Master Baek?”
Baek Mun-il shrugged as if it were nothing.
“Mongma appeared. Someone must have sold an item they obtained from clearing Mongma’s Dungeon, and Mongma wasn’t properly eliminated. Likely.”
The Hunter from the Association understood the situation immediately.
Special Races’ abilities had a way of occasionally affecting the world outside the Dungeon.
“Then—was the Mongma dealt with by you, Guild Master?”
As Baek Mun-il nodded, the guild member turned to look at him with startled eyes.
Fortunately, however, the Hunter from the Association failed to notice the exchange between the two.
“It was fortunate that I was here and could respond immediately. If I hadn’t been, the damage would’ve been severe.”
This time the guild member approached and examined Baek Mun-il’s condition.
“Then, Guild Master—are you uninjured? Dealing with a Demon Beast would have been quite difficult.”
Baek Mun-il raised both hands, showing his unharmed body.
The healer had treated him, so there was nothing to worry about.
But the guild member immediately grabbed his wrist.
“There’s blood here…!”
“Ah.”
Wounds fade, but blood stains remain.
Baek Mun-il pulled his arm away with an awkward cough.
“It’s not my blood.”
“Oh, well, that’s a relief then.”
The guild member’s eyes still held a trace of doubt.
Baek Mun-il turned his gaze toward the Association Hunter.
“Since the item purchase won’t work out anyway, I’ll head back. If the Association needs any further explanation, have them contact the guild.”
“We’re grateful for your help. We’ll do that.”
Baek Mun-il nodded and left the Auction House.
By then, the Association and Henket staff were checking on the fallen customers and sending them outside after treatment.
Though it was called assessment and treatment, there was actually little they could do for them.
The customers were in perfect condition—no Debuff, not even lingering aftereffects.
The guild member glanced at the scene and followed Baek Mun-il.
Once the Association Hunter had moved far enough away, the staff member whispered low.
“Guild Master, did you really fight alone?”
“I didn’t expect to be doubted like that. Do I seem unreliable?”
As Baek Mun-il tried to brush it off as a joke, the guild member tapped his chest in frustration.
“It’s not that issue. To deal with Mongma, you necessarily need Debuff Removal skills—and not just for yourself, but for everyone within Mongma’s domain.”
But Baek Mun-il didn’t have such a skill.
His abilities focused on self-buffs and attacks.
“Does it matter whether I did it alone or with others? Is there a problem?”
“No, it’s not a problem, it’s just……”
“For now, let’s pretend we don’t know anything.”
Baek Mun-il cut off the guild member’s words with a laugh.
“It’s a secret from me too right now, and I might only be able to tell you later when the time comes.”
The guild member’s face twisted in an enigmatic way.
Though his eyes were full of questions, he asked nothing further.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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