I Became a Mythical Hunter After Killing the Golden Goblin - Chapter 16

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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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Chapter 16. The Ruin Where the Sun Sleeps (3)
A body easily three times larger than the other Dark Dogs emerged first through the swirling dust. Next came two grotesque heads attached to a single body, each having apparently selected its prey, drooling disgustingly. Eyes darker than darkness itself observed us with razor-sharp intensity.
‘This is insane! How is that two-headed bastard supposed to be locked in the Boss Room here?!’
Without speaking, the answer was already clear.
‘Damn it… because Seo Mi-na and I are together. Did it take offense? Starting with this kind of nonsense!’
Truthfully, ever since I learned this Hidden Stage was tower-shaped, I had let my guard down somewhat.
I thought Lee Ji-hyung wouldn’t pull any tricks starting from the 1st Floor regardless of what he attempted.
The concealment skill he was using wasn’t invincible either.
-Craaaaaah!!
-Kyaaaaaaah!!
What mattered now was awakening Seo Mi-na while dealing with that two-headed mutt.
‘Actually, this works out perfectly. Thanks to that bastard, the board is set flawlessly.’
And it was obvious I’d continue suffering from this cursed misfortune until I eliminated it, but I couldn’t panic or fear over something like this.
That would be exactly what the one who cursed me and this wretched curse itself wanted.
I would turn even this curse against me to my advantage!
〚I burst into a vile laugh, mocking the curse to overcome itself if it dared.〛
“This bastard. Really!”
Still, irritation and anger were inevitable. Before I could even unleash my rage, I shoved Seo Mi-na away and rolled to the side.
Boom!
A black tongue slammed down where we’d been pressed together. I didn’t know what kind of dog used its tongue as a weapon, but one thing was certain: if that tongue connected with its skill, the results could be catastrophic.
“Damn it, really!”
I immediately pushed off the ground, rose to my feet, and repositioned behind Eidu Gyeon.
‘Even with mythic-grade stats, I’m outmatched in raw physical ability!’
A system judgment of [F]-rank meant I’d awakened at least three F-rank stats, and with a boss designation on top of that, those stats would exceed 50 at minimum. Moreover, the creature itself was rare—rarer and stronger than other specimens!
“Seo Mi-na, snap out of it! Hey! You crazy—!”
In this abnormal situation, Seo Mi-na had completely panicked from a death terror she’d never experienced before. With her spear dropped and her mana wavering unstably, it was obvious she’d be useless in combat.
On the surface, I cursed at her harshly as if for her own good. But internally, I nodded in approval.
‘Good. Despair like that. Let fear consume you completely until it takes root within you!’
But the problem was that even I wasn’t finding it easy to capture that two-headed bastard. Without seizing the initiative myself, I couldn’t even attempt a strategy.
“Ah, I was trying to do this without using it.”
Uncertain if it would work, feeling uneasy about it, and if it did work, it seemed almost like cheating—a trump card I’d been saving.
“Pride’s First Wing!”
As I cast the skill, a single massive wing burst forth from behind my left shoulder. Radiating brilliant light, the wing appeared in an almost sacred manner…
〚The first wing activates!〛
〚As the wing operates, the rare stat Sanctity temporarily manifests!〛
〚As the wing operates, all stats receive an additional bonus of +10!〛
〚Due to low proficiency, operation time is limited to 10 minutes!〛
Power flooded into my body with satisfying intensity, radiating brilliantly.
-Kieeeek!!
-Kueeeeek!!
And my instinct proved correct. This was the trump card that hadn’t existed in my original plan right after regression.
Radiant wings blazed with brilliant light, and sacred luminescence descended upon my surroundings. Eidu Gyeon writhed in agony, convulsing and beginning to emit a sickly glow.
‘Perfect! Now I’ll slowly guide him along!’
I didn’t hesitate or waver. Seizing the opportunity, I began the melee exactly as I’d envisioned, drawing him in with calculated precision.
I held a narrow advantage, but I deliberately prolonged the engagement, feigning strain and desperation.
‘Come on, take the bait! I’ve set the entire stage!’
Not words meant for Lee Ji-hyung. Within my expanded senses, I could briefly perceive his presence, but he wouldn’t reveal himself yet.
What I was truly fishing for was Misfortune itself.
That’s why I unfurled the Wings of Arrogance.
With my stats surging by a full ten points, excess power flowed temporarily into Misfortune as well. And true to form, Misfortune didn’t waste this newfound strength granted to him for a brief moment.
〚Calculated Misfortune, as if it had been waiting, recklessly squanders the newly flowing power!〛
-Krrgh, hrrgh!
-Kyarararara!
As Misfortune’s calamity descended upon this place, the glowing creatures in the distance suddenly began writhing and scattering in all directions. Soon they lunged toward the half-dazed Seo Mi-na.
〚Calculated Misfortune, as if it had been waiting, laughs loudly and declares it will merely give a taste this time, shifting its target!〛
‘Perfect!’
My eyes gleamed as I seamlessly began my performance.
“Damn it!”
I cried out and lunged toward Seo Mi-na without hesitation—then stopped.
“Snap out of it!”
-Krararak!
-Kkyaayak!
Despite my exaggerated shout, Seo Mi-na merely trembled, her hands shaking as she reached toward Eidu Gyeon charging at her with his glow intensifying. But she couldn’t move, couldn’t escape.
Crash!
She was crushed between Eidu Gyeon’s body and the wall. The light pouring from my wings kept Eidu Gyeon glowing, but the woman pinned beneath him showed no response whatsoever.
As if she’d been killed instantly in a single blow.
“…Is it done?”
Seo Mi-na’s unique ability is the Seed of Brain Lightning [Legendary]. And seeds eventually sprout and grow.
Blooming, or awakening—abilities that develop through such stages.
And the trigger for that awakening is none other than…suffering a fatal wound close to death!
Using pain as nourishment and her spilled blood as moisture, she would brilliantly bloom a sprout called Brain Lightning!
But something’s wrong. Why is there no reaction at all?
“Damn…it.”
Did I fail? Did I just let a person die?
And not just anyone—a talented woman who would become an SS-rank Hunter in the future.
‘I distinctly heard in interviews that she awakened immediately when facing death…’
Damn it! This isn’t how my plan was supposed to unfold.
“First, I’ll kill Eidu Gyeon and try to revive her!”
I hurriedly raised my flame sword and charged at Eidu Gyeon. Just as I was about to plunge the blade into his glowing throat—
〚Suddenly, as overwhelming power flows in, Fortune opens its eyes.〛
〚With the caster’s desperate wish and someone’s intense will, Heaven pours forth its remaining power!〛
〚An unknown authority manifests in this place.〛
Everything changed.
Filled with urgency and dread, I instinctively recoiled from Eidu Gyeon as an icy chill ran through my senses.
The Eidu Gyeon, which had been glowing and shrieking while striking the ground with its tail and body, froze as if seized by an irresistible terror.
Crack!
At first, it was merely a spark—a faint current of static electricity originating from directly beneath Eidu Gyeon.
But that current grew in magnitude and intensity, escalating in power.
Boom!!
It descended like an explosion, engulfing the surroundings. And from the very center of that maelstrom, a single body began to rise slowly.
Blood streaming from her head, her body limp, she ascended into the sky—and the moment her eyes snapped open.
Beginning with her golden hair, an enormous surge of electricity erupted from her entire form, her eyes now bleached white, and struck Eidu Gyeon with devastating force.
Boom!
-Screeeech!
-Shrieeek!
Unable to flip over and flee, unable to defend itself, Eidu Gyeon simply endured the onslaught.
Its two heads foamed at the mouth, unable even to attempt movement. Only when death drew near did the electricity cease, as if a circuit breaker had been flipped—Seo Mi-na’s power finally cut off.
“I… can’t… anymore…”
I caught her as she collapsed like a puppet with severed strings, laid her down safely, and immediately drew my blade to sever both of the unconscious Eidu Gyeon’s heads.
〚Rare-Rank [F] LV 21, Stage-1 Boss: Two-Headed Beast Shrouded in Darkness raid cleared!〛
〚Rewards distributed based on contribution!〛
〚Contribution
1st Place Seo Mi-na—54%
2nd Place Shin Ju-ha—46%〛
〚Reward: Purple Coins×99, [F]-Grade Magic Stone×3, Shadow Spirit Stone [Rare-F+]×3〛
〚Experience 300〛
〚LEVEL UP!〛
〚Gained 1 Free Point.〛
As the creature fell, fireworks erupted across the system window and the reward settlement began. But I first checked on Seo Mi-na, who lay gasping for breath.
“…Are you alright?”
“Yes, my unique ability has actually evolved. Thank you for bringing me here. I’ve learned so much already.”
Seo Mi-na, now seemingly fine, retrieved a potion from her subspace pouch, drank it, and rose to her feet.
“I won’t hold you back with such pathetic displays again.”
She then bowed deeply to me in sincere apology. Seeing her like that, I couldn’t help but chuckle at my own unnecessary worry.
“Good work.”
I set her down as she caught her breath, then gazed upward for a moment.
‘Thank you.’
As if Heaven had fallen silent once more, I offered my gratitude to the force that had aided us.
“But why was the Boss wandering through the Ancient Ruin instead of staying in the Boss Room?”
“Indeed, why was it?”
I spoke those words with cold eyes, and firmly etched into my mind the trace of a third presence—someone other than Seo Mi-na and myself—that I had sensed when my Infinite Stats were strengthened by the angel’s wings.
“Someone deliberately targeted us to kill us.”
“You mean there’s someone else who entered here besides us?”
“…It could be, or it couldn’t be. Anyway, what reward did you get?”
I mumbled my words and deliberately shifted the conversation away from this topic, while my mind began formulating a plan to catch this damned bastard.
***
‘Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!’
The mysterious figure who had been cursing inwardly—Lee Ji-hyung—gritted his teeth as he hurried across the Ancient Ruin.
He hadn’t intended to kill anyone. He had simply entered the Boss Room and lured the boss outside just to mess with that unlucky bastard Shin Ju-ha a little.
After all, the Scouter Team leader had ordered him to follow Shin Ju-ha around and propose recruitment at an appropriate moment, even providing equipment with a rare-grade concealment skill.
It was just that Shin Ju-ha unexpectedly found the Hidden Stage that even top-ranked hunters rarely saw once in a lifetime, and when Seo Mi-na—whom he had fallen for at first sight—joined him, he had merely wanted to mess with him out of jealousy.
He truly had no intention of killing anyone. And certainly not Seo Mi-na instead of Shin Ju-ha.
The phantom of her being crushed against the wall by Eidu Gyeon’s massive body still haunted him, flickering before his eyes.
‘Damn it! Damn it! If it’s like this… I have no choice.’
Lee Ji-hyung, having put sufficient distance between himself and Shin Ju-ha and the mad boss, carefully withdrew the contract the Scouter Team leader had given him from his pocket….
Then he set it ablaze with mana and burned it to ash.
“I have no choice. I’ll say I rejected the proposal. And report that I killed him for future contingencies.”
The Scouter Team leader himself seemed displeased with Shin Ju-ha for upstaging his debut, and hadn’t he left a veiled message to kill him if he refused the contract?
If he just kept his mouth shut and played it off, that would be the end of it. After all, a murder in this Hidden Stage of the Abyss—one he could never enter again after leaving this time—would be a perfect crime.
‘Yes, if Shin Ju-ha dies, it’s over.’
Lee Ji-hyung turned his body around again and was about to rush toward the place where Shin Ju-ha was fighting.
Just then, as Eidu Gyeon died, a choice appeared before him.
〚Your contribution is nonexistent. You have obtained 1 Escape Stone as a 1st Floor clear reward.〛
〚Will you proceed to the 2nd Floor? Or will you escape?〛
“That bastard would go up.”
The strength that didn’t falter even against Eidu Gyeon, the calm judgment, the boldness that didn’t tremble in fear even facing the boss.
“Maybe that bastard Shin Ju-ha killed the boss and saved Mi-na!”
But it was already too late. He had to kill Shin Ju-ha, and he also had to eliminate Seo Mi-na, who would be a witness.
‘Ah…no, wait. I could force myself to stay with them too. Yes, as bait! That bastard Shin Ju-ha brought her along as bait! So… so, let me try to persuade him with words first.’
And then he would decide afterward. Whether to spare Seo Mi-na’s life or not.
Yes. Lee Ji-hyung had already reached a conclusion in his mind—he would kill Shin Ju-ha. The only thing he was agonizing over was Seo Mi-na’s life alone.
With that thought, he withdrew several items from his pocket to check them, then opened his mouth.
“I’m going up!”
〚Moving to the 2nd Floor!〛
He was transported to the 2nd Floor along with a flash of light.

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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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