<< 5 >> But why isn’t there any talk about the top 10 these days?
Zhukyl << I'm scared of what that guy is doing somewhere again.
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[1] I don't know, you idiot.
[2] It's chaos these days; do you think we have time to worry? Even just the terrorist attacks in the Seoul area are multiple times over. We should just be relieved that we can’t see them.
After all, thinking about the rankers gathering in secret during the massacre period still gives me chills.
[3] There hasn’t been news since they tried to overthrow the government with those follower idiots and completely failed.
Why is that follower still around?
Isn't he brainwashed?
What brainwashing? Haha, he probably just seduced them to believe and follow him.
He just targeted and drew in several large Awakened One groups.
[4] I’m more scared of the heavy weapons girl than him.
Hahahaha, heavy weapons girl, what a joke.
She’s relatively okay; she's cooperative, you know.
Isn't she ranked 9th?
9th or 10th—it’s the same.
Given the match-up, wouldn’t heavy weapons win? Zhukyl is the peak of magical engineering.
Is that really the case?
Hahaha, what are you guys, super top rankers? Those who would die just by making eye contact are comparing themselves.
Those in the room are already all rankers.
He’s just getting angry all by himself, haha.
<< 6 >> Ah, I don’t know about the Zhukyl bait, but I’m firmly believing that Aurli will handle it one by one.
[Picture of Aurli with wings open, reaching out]
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[Comments]
[1] What’s that picture? It’s so high-quality, haha.
[2] But don’t they know each other? Aurli is being restrained now, but if they meet, won’t we be in trouble?
Only the other day, they terrorized the headquarters building, and now she’s being all meek, haha.
Ah, haha, she’s a bit more docile than a year ago, haha.
Thinking seriously, it feels like we’re really screwed.
[3] What if the Association manages to seduce them well?
Wait, so they seduced them well to continue the terror even before the gate? It’s a damn dangerous situation—are they too complacent?
Then why don’t you try seducing them yourself?
#
The vehicle shook. My body swayed. Last time it was a combat vehicle, and this time it’s a truck.
In the spacious area at the back of the vehicle. The breeze blowing all around was refreshing.
“You’d better listen to me well during this operation, Erica.”
I raised a finger. At the end was Erica.
“The necromancer group 3. They were found in Gyeonggi Province, Gwangju. Just follow the plan we created as soon as we arrive.”
“Understood.”
“Are you ignoring what I’m saying right now?”
“You all have high close-combat stats, but that doesn’t mean you need to engage in hand-to-hand combat. You’ve trained enough to just focus on the ceremonial formulas.”
It seems Erica isn’t quite understanding the situation right now.
I’ll have to teach her.
I reached out and swiftly snatched the notebook Erica was holding.
“Not knowing anything in front of number one hunted Awakened One like me…”
“Aurli.”
Erica turned her head. Our eyes met.
The colorless pupil reflected me.
“If you want to see me angry, just keep doing that.”
A silence fell. Cold sweat trickled down.
I hurriedly clung to her and slipped the notebook back into her hand.
“S-Sorry.”
“In a tense situation, we’ll have the upper hand anyway. We have named rankers with us.”
Three hunters looked at me cautiously and nodded. I trembled slightly and rubbed my cheek against Erica’s shoulder.
“Are you mad…?”
Soon after, a hand reached over. Hair was played with, and my ear was gently pinched.
Good.
I blinked for a moment.
Am I being tamed right now? Is this happening as Erica thought it would?
I hurriedly created some distance. Erica shot me a sidelong glance before turning her attention back to the notebook.
What’s going on? What is it?
For now, I need to make her realize I’m in a superior position.
“If you think you can pacify me, you’ve already been found out. If you think I would stay docile during combat, you’re mistaken.”
That meant the treatment the Association and she had been subtly giving me had no real meaning.
“I’m aware of that.”
Erica replied like that while keeping her eyes fixed on the notebook.
This isn’t the kind of picture I imagined.
With a feeling that something was going wrong, my mind started to race. Then, I would just proceed with the plan. The sacrificial pawns this time would be those hunters.
I sat calmly and scrutinized the hunters. I began to simulate in my head.
“If you were facing imminent death, what kind would you prefer?”
“What?”
“Ah.”
I misspoke.
Seeing their faces freeze, I waved my hand.
“I’m sorry. I think I misphrased that.”
“Y-Yes?”
“If you were to die, what method would you prefer?”
Imagining a plunge into a pit feels much more comfortable than just catching a glimpse of death.
Keeping quiet, I tilted my head while looking at their pale faces with horror.
“You’re saying strange things…”
“What do you mean?”
This time Erica splashed water on her face with one hand.
She turned her head again. The hunter beside her had bowed his head and was shaking in fear.
Suddenly, I was curious.
“Aren’t you scared? But on the other hand, isn’t it exhilarating? I’m giving you a chance to choose the method of your death.”
“……”
“When you want, with the method you choose, having to face the end… isn’t that thrilling?”
Even this represents the coexistence of two emotional lines. Although the fear of the unknown approaching them is great, there’s comfort in the thought of being able to control the very end.
“In my case, I think having a knife pierce my heart would be nice. It’s clean, you know? Dismemberment or other methods… would be a bit grotesque, right?”
“Stop it already.”
My mouth was blocked, and my vision swayed. My head felt dizzy.
Suddenly, I felt warmth. Our shoulders touched.
I couldn’t breathe. It’s hard to inhale through my nose.
“Umpf.”
I wish they’d let go.
I pondered for a moment. Normally, Erica would have slapped me by now, but this time I was being pulled in.
As my gaze drifted around, I locked eyes with a hunter who lifted his head. I could see his pupil tremble several times.
“Th-That…”
Is he finally going to speak? It would be better to have a congratulatory party or something.
His quivering demeanor made me want to stab the knife into him.
“Uh, b-but dying is scary…”
Phew.
As he floundered, his mouth opened.
“Is it because it hurts? You can endure it until you get used to the pain; it’ll be fine.”
“That, that’s more than…”
Our eyes met. I tilted my head.
“I have family… If I die… I won’t be able to provide for them. That’s scarier.”
A brief silence followed. I blinked.
“That’s impressive!”
That’s not a story relevant to me.
Suddenly, I felt sad.
When I got used to the jolting of the vehicle, the wind that had been tickling my hair disappeared and warmth began to emanate.
The blazing sunlight was a reminder that it was still afternoon.
Seeing Erica get off, I followed her. A massive rectangular building appeared in the distance. Research facilities usually have such shapes.
As I heard a clattering sound from behind, I turned my head to see a man picking up a fallen weapon and dusting off his clothes.
It was that hunter from earlier.
I smiled slightly.
“Don’t worry. I wasn’t really talking about killing anyone. I thought everyone in the hunter profession had a mission to experience death, but I guess not.”
“Ah, ah. Yes…”
For a moment, I twisted the hair at my side.
I worked hard again this time to help everyone meet a happy end, but unfortunately, the opportunity has slipped away. I have no intention of making them experience an unwanted death.
Suddenly, I saw Erica in front of me, maintaining her gear.
Thinking about it, this might be a good situation. It allows me to focus more on Erica.
I was planning to use those hunters anyway. In a situation where guns and weapons create smoke and the smell of gunpowder, I will awaken their sense of urgency.
And I anticipate. Erica saving them and shining brilliantly.
From there, I also thought about my position. It would be good to be left broken in a corner, skewered by Erica’s blade as a result of the terror.
That’s what a beautiful world looks like.
Before long, the hunters were diligently preparing their weapons with resolute expressions.
“Let’s do our best! I’ll be cheering for you!”
“Thank you…”
“I hope you complete the mission and survive. I mean, once Erica saves you, it won’t matter…”
For a moment, I twisted the hair at my side.
“If Erica fails, then there’s nothing we can do, right?”
If they die, my heart will hurt, but there’s nothing I can do. I am meant to lose, so I can only watch without being able to help them.
The world I wish for is right in front of me but beyond my reach. Only Erica can bring it to fruition, so I patiently kneel and wait.
Suddenly, I felt a wave of nausea. I violently coughed up blood, staining my clothes. I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them again to see Erica’s eyes locked onto mine.
She approaches. Then a pure white handkerchief wipes at my mouth. It was rough yet warm.
The blood dried up. My breathing cleared again.
“I guess I’ll have to wash my clothes later.”
I couldn’t say anything and just nodded.
I felt like I was going crazy.
