Looking at Inessa, the leader of ‘Do’, from a broader perspective, the objective of obtaining the ‘Evolutionary Gem’ hasn’t changed, so all she needed to do was keep watch to see if anyone crossed the line.
“Even if the schedule got pulled forward a bit, I don’t think she would be leaving Korea anytime soon.”
As long as the main storyline didn’t change, Inessa would likely stay in Korea to intensify the supply of ‘Goblin’, which has just started to gain momentum.
Given her unique abilities, the time she took to work with ‘Goblin’ was one of the reasons for her extended stay.
However, that wasn’t her only goal.
After experiencing a horrific childhood in this country, she would also be looking to track down and destroy the people who had pushed her to the edge.
In fact, that could very well be her primary purpose, which is why Jo Gi-man firmly believed that even if it meant taking risks, she would remain here.
“While I’m not pleased with Kang Yeon-su getting involved early, I can just take some measures.”
Inessa needed to grow a little more, especially for Jo Gi-man’s sake.
So, she shouldn’t allow Kang Yeon-su’s interference to become too much of a hindrance.
While staying in this place, Inessa would have started observing and keeping a ‘Sense Ability User’, who has only recently manifested their abilities, by her side.
Once that happened, she would have them dancing in the palm of her hand.
“I can see it. I can see it.”
Jo Gi-man, a reincarnator with seven lives, had somewhat of an ability to predict the future, albeit not to the extent of Inessa.
As he went through cycles, that ability strengthened, and he believed it was now at a fairly reliable level.
“Inessa… Living a life that sees through everything, her expression when caught by me is truly a masterpiece. Hehehehe!”
Her distorted expression, unable to believe she mispredicted the future, made him laugh every time he thought of it.
“That gal’s outer shell is tough and not that appealing. The real treat is the main body inside. Hehehe.”
Already salivating, Jo Gi-man, with his snake-like split tongue, moistened his lips.
After calming his excitement for a moment, he called for his right-hand woman, Jung Joo-in.
“Yes. You called?”
“Make sure the people on this list can continue to support ‘Do’ by distracting Kang Yeon-su’s attention. Complicating the long-stalled guild financial issues could also be a good way. If we press on the association’s funding, it’ll naturally unfold.”
“Yes. I will execute immediately.”
Jung Joo-in, puzzled by Jo Gi-man’s recent alternating use of honorifics and informal speech, decided to forget it with just a gesture from him and disappeared.
Once Jung Joo-in vanished, Jo Gi-man quietly closed his eyes and began to observe the movements of ‘Sense Ability Users’ around the world.
“They’re so preoccupied with the rapidly increasing monsters that they’re not thinking of anything else. Fortunately, those bothersome guys have become a bit more subdued for me.”
Monsters causing trouble worldwide and high-tier Hunters trying their best to stop them.
“The more monsters you catch, the more frequently they appear. There’s only one solution… reduce the Evil God’s dominance that’s taken root in another world.”
This method was learned when he was active in that realm to kill the Great Sorcerer ‘Palkai’ and stumbled upon a way to lower the dominance of ‘Blue-eyed’.
“There’s only one road leading to the world dominated by Blue-eyed that only I can traverse. This is what Blue-eyed confirmed.”
So the one who could pull the world out of a quagmire was solely him.
Each time he confirmed proof that the center of this world was himself, it brought him joy.
And the experience of saving a world sunk to its depths, being revered as a god, and devouring his own worshipers alive was thrilling.
The sight of those devoted ones twisted in shock, despair, and anger when getting devoured by the god they trusted was always exhilarating.
Just imagining it was so pleasurable he felt like tearing someone apart right then.
That stimulating experience far surpassed the pleasure of being with women.
For someone consumed by such twisted desires, losing interest in reason was, in many ways, a natural outcome.
The task of slowly dismantling the enemies that had ruined his life was already completed, so there was nothing more to worry about.
“If only I could sustain this kind of life forever.”
That desire had been simmering for some time.
And thus, Jo Gi-man earnestly requested his backer, the Seven-headed Dragon, not to make this reincarnation the last, surprisingly, revealing that there was indeed one way just a few days ago.
“Hey… Is the only way to extend the reincarnation cycle really to eliminate ‘Blue-eyed’?”
[……]
Jo Gi-man quietly asked into the empty air, and upon confirming the answer from the Seven-headed Dragon again, he nodded and sighed.
“… Such a stubborn guy.”
“The demise of ‘Blue-eyed’… I’m not sure if that’s even possible, but seeing hope last time means it’s not entirely impossible.”
He tapped the desk with his fingertips and spread out the map again.
In this cycle, while the combat power of high-tier Hunters increased significantly, their action patterns had become much more simplified than previous cycles.
This granted Jo Gi-man considerable leeway.
At the beginning of this cycle, he felt anxious as something seemed off, but it was eventually turning in his favor.
With his finger tracing the map, he sparkled with excitement.
“Let’s see— should I target this guy from Montenegro next?”
He aimed to feast on prey that had gained weight at just the right time, getting stronger with each bite.
That alone was elevating Jo Gi-man’s power to unfathomable levels.
“Hehehe! Once I break through the Giant’s Dungeon, finally—”
A wicked smile spread across his face, and his pupils elongated vertically.
* * *
The next day.
Yeon-hee, who usually slept late on holidays, woke up on time today.
After we finished our preparations, we headed directly to the association for our promotion.
As we entered the lobby of the association building, we garnered attention once again, but we transitioned smoothly to the next stage compared to our last visit.
Upon arriving in the lobby of the C-rank promotion chamber below, the interest from people erupted again, and the larger reaction caught me off guard.
– Ooooh…?! It’s Lee Yeon-hee!
– That person is the Great Summoner who is D-rank’s strongest alongside Noh Ha-yoon… But who’s that person next to her?
– Look at the magic power! Wow… Isn’t that magic level already reaching the four digits?
– They say she manages a hundred summoned creatures at once, so it’s certainly plausible.
“When did she start managing a hundred summoned creatures…?”
– Crazy… You’re telling me she can handle a hundred sentient summoned creatures at the same time? How is that even possible? It’s like watching the left and right at the same time.
– Don’t try to understand a genius. It’ll just lower your confidence. We should just stick to our own paths.
– Damn… No idea. I’m so envious. I’m envious.
– Just looking at her chin alone is enough to see she’s stunning… Her voice must melt me away slowly too.
Over a hundred Hunters suddenly approached us, revealing their unsavory feelings openly, and as they chimed in, dark magic energy whipped around us, blowing my cloak.
“Uh… Il-wol, let’s move to a corner.”
Yeon-hee seemed startled and instinctively moved to an empty corner.
However, as we moved, people started crowding around again, making the area chaotic once more.
They seemed to gauge the situation for a moment, but soon began pressing towards us eagerly.
“We’re planning a collaboration with A-rank Hunter Kim Jin-ah—”
“Can we post the photos on social media?”
“I heard you haven’t signed with the White Knight Guild yet, is that true?”
Requests for photos and signatures were standard, but many suggested involving video platforms, so I stepped forward to block the oncoming crowd.
“What’s that armor? Are you the manager?”
“Could you step out a bit? Just one photo, please.”
As people surged around and pressed Yeon-hee into a corner, I thought it couldn’t go on like this, so I infused my body with Flame Energy.
Transforming into an intermediary form before I switched to [Combat Type], people gasped and stepped back, with some even pulling weapons out from space.
“Damn! What the heck? Isn’t that a monster?”
“Hey, hey, the summoner threatening with her summoned creatures isn’t a good look.”
“Wipe your mouth and talk, you brat.”
The ones who had pushed in to see Yeon-hee’s face now complained when I frightened them.
“Those in the waiting room should refrain from approaching other Hunters, please. Once again, a reminder. Those in the waiting room—”
“Hmph! They sure are expensive over there.”
Only after the announcement did the grumbling people return to their spots, now watching me more keenly than Yeon-hee.
“Is that guy really the summoned creature of Lee Yeon-hee, called the Grim Reaper?”
“Did it look like that? Isn’t it completely different from the beastly appearance it had in the photos?”
“I heard it’s a rare monster that went from Skeleton Soldier to Sorcerer tech… Why is it in full armor like a Warrior? Is that bluffing?”
“A Skeleton Sorcerer… Is it trying to create a Lich or something?”
“You think a Lich would even have a dog name? Hehe— just rambling as it comes out.”
“… What did you just say?”
“Just dissing your careless words, got a problem with it?”
“Damn you!”
“Oh my, why don’t you want to square up? Close combat is my meal, you know. Get mad, and it’ll just prolong your life to be a fool.”
“Ugh… Just wait after exams.”
“Anytime!”
Being of age and petty like that… Why fight here of all places? They’re not even kids.
As awakened humans with immense talents gather in a confined space, petty arguments like this become frequent.
Many Hunters who obtained powerful abilities tend to develop poor self-control and simplicity of thought, and those before me fit that category perfectly.
“I’m already tired. Compared to those folks, our party members seem pretty nice and gentle.”
Suddenly, I recalled the face of Noh Ha-yoon, who had attacked me out of nowhere, but comparatively, it was true.
Anyway, having come here, I was somewhat prepared for people to talk behind my back, so I sat back down next to Yeon-hee, carefully watching the Hunters.
“Il-wol, how’s it…? Can you sense anyone with a sinister aura?”
“Clap, Clap, Clap.”
“Phew— that’s a relief. We should remain cautious wherever we go. I’m feeling a bit tired, right?”
“Clap, Clap, Clap.”
For now, I detected no Hunters with suspicious energy according to my instincts.
“With so many Hunters around, it’s impossible for there not to be at least one…”
Most Hunters who had come for the promotion exam were hiding their magical energies as much as possible while waiting, so I couldn’t definitively conclude there were no shady folks.
“Are those guys around here anywhere?”
The four-member party of the assassination group ‘Veil’, who I met twice in the D-rank dungeon, boldly suggested we face off after they ranked up to C-rank, bragging about keeping up with us.
Since they were advancing faster than us, I thought they’d likely rank up around the same time, but they weren’t here.
– Member number 47, please proceed to the C-rank promotion exam room—
We arrived fairly early yet found ourselves at the 47th order, waiting over an hour before we could finally step into the promotion examination room.
And awaiting us within the examination room was none other than Maeng Seong-yong, who had tested us last time.
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