Without a moment to pause and consider my newly acquired stats from leveling up, I promptly replaced the lower-ranked Rune of Strength and Rune of Absorption from my current set.
– Rune of Vitality (Legendary) Health +237
– Rune of Vitality (Heroic) Health +149
Upon switching the runes, my strength slightly dipped, but my health surged by a whopping 386, boosting my overall health beyond 1,100.
Considering that I had been attacked by the 29th Escalon in the morning and my health had dropped to less than half, this timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
And just when I thought it ended there, a new message appeared.
– You have accomplished the incredible feat of being reborn as the lowest-grade Skeleton Soldier while exceeding 1,000 health!
– Acquired achievement [The Beginning of Immortality]!
‘Huh…?’
[The Beginning of Immortality]
– When receiving fatal damage, enter [Immortal] state for 10 seconds. (Includes Self-Sacrifice Spell)
– Upon releasing [Immortal], you will face death again.
– This achievement is activated when maximum health exceeds 1,000.
‘Immortal… Am I really heading down that path…?’
Just because my health exceeded 1,000 doesn’t mean I automatically get an achievement. I hadn’t heard any other Hunters having such records.
This must be the result of pursuing the path of the [King of the Undead].
[Immortal]
– Resist death.
– Completely immune to status anomalies.
‘So for at least 10 seconds, I can act without any constraints. That’s incredible.’
Ten seconds may seem like a fleeting moment, but it’s actually enough time to accomplish quite a bit.
‘Then I could briefly meet my past traces.’
My traces.
‘Skull’ was still actively conquering the dungeon monopolized by the Ilseom Guild.
– ‘Skull’ is making its third attempt against ‘Minescarabe.’
– After a fierce battle, ‘Skull’ has defeated ‘Minescarabe!’
– Acquired 2 ‘Golden Shells’ from ‘Minescarabe!’
Countless messages flooded in during the battle against the Escalon forces. My adorable ‘Skull’ bravely continued to challenge and actually yielded results.
‘Skull’ showcased combat power capable of defeating a top-tier B-rank monster alone. Even though I had never met it, I assumed it might be comparable or even superior to Yeon-hee’s Alpha-rank summoned creature, Rakan.
– Exhausted ‘Skull’ is surrounded by a swarm of ‘Blood Mosquitos.’
– Miraculously escaping the crisis, ‘Skull’ hides in a dark cave.
– As ‘Skull’ gazes at the pitiful remains of its bones, it feels the urge to return to where it was born.
‘Good thought. If it can snag a great sword, it might improve a bit.’
While ‘Skull’ had certainly become stronger, the tightrope it was walking continued perilously. The fact that it was surviving alone in that horrifying dungeon was nothing short of admirable.
Thanks to that, the materials for ‘Killbard’ were slowly accumulating. Now, if I could just acquire the gems from ‘Frizkana,’ I could produce a drug with minimal side effects.
– Uwaaaah!! I did it!!
– Hahaha! I’m alive! Damn it! I’m alive!
After thoroughly exterminating the last monster, the 29th Escalon, the Hunters erupted in joyful cheers and collapsed onto the floor.
If ‘Killbard’ is completed, those people will be able to accomplish even more.
“Phew… It’s really over.”
“Yeon-hee, you worked hard.”
“Ha-yoon, you too. Everyone, great job!”
It was a bloody battle that lasted over three hours. Everyone was utterly exhausted, sprawled out in no time.
But I was unwilling to relax just yet.
We hadn’t heard any news about the biggest culprit.
‘By now, we should have received some signal. This is strange.’
The first and second teams must have struck the main body of the Devouring Creeper. Yet from our side in Escalon, I couldn’t detect any anomalies.
’Hmm… It’s certain the main body hasn’t died yet.’
While I was lost in thought, a small commotion broke out right beneath me. The messages that appeared after defeating the 29th Escalon designated Ma Gwang-jin, one of the leaders of the Veil, as a contributor.
‘I didn’t even land the finishing blow. I just battled the longest… and when I think about it, I didn’t really do low damage either. I hit with [Flame Shot] and continuously drained health with burn damage.’
But it seemed everyone else thought differently.
“Who got credit for killing this bastard? It’s not that ‘Grim Reaper’ who merely drew aggro from above, right?”
“I don’t understand that either. It’s weird that no items dropped. So then who was the top contributor?”
Everyone scratched their heads while sorting through the aftermath, and Yoo Min-jung casually added her two cents.
“Looks like everyone forgot the Fire Sorcerer who used [Meteor]!”
“Aah—?!”
Upon Min-jung’s remark, the crowd murmured in realization.
“Right. There was that person. But do they really plan to remain hidden until the end?”
“I heard rumors about an ‘Unknown Transcendent’ participating in this Hunt Team. What if that’s them…?”
“That’s a possibility, but they weren’t that destructive, either. Hmmm…”
‘That’s true. To kill an Escalon with just [Flame Shot], I’d have to fire at least ten times, and that’s on rapid fire.’
“Regardless, the ‘Grim Reaper’ was drawing attention while that magician was attacking, right?”
“Were they? I didn’t really catch that while fighting, but it seemed uneventful…”
“Anyway, that’s one emotionless guy until death. All the other Escalons left behind either runes or artifacts.”
‘So other Escalons drop artifacts, huh? I wasn’t exactly lucky after all.’
Ignoring their chatter, I returned to Yeon-hee.
“Il-wol! You worked hard!”
She came sprinting towards me like a puppy and jumped into my arms. She hadn’t done this kind of skinship outside before, but she was gradually growing bolder.
Fortunately, the other Hunters didn’t seem to find it peculiar.
‘As long as she doesn’t switch to Combat type, it’s a close-range warrior look with full armor, so there shouldn’t be any aversion.’
“You held the Escalon for so long by yourself. Aren’t you talented at provoking?”
Ha-yoon, ever the provocateur, spoke to me with a hint of envy. But before I could react, she waved her hands in the air and sprawled out flat on the ground.
“Phew— I don’t know anymore. I’m going to rest.”
“Wow— Your level shot up a lot… But should we really rest? Is it okay in our current situation?”
“I also… need some meditation time…”
“I feel the same.”
Including the monster I faced alone, there were six S-rank Escalons, along with the thousands of Creeper Guards led by them.
After hours of frantic combat against those insane monsters, my companions had achieved remarkable growth.
Especially, Ha-yoon’s growth, considering her favorable matchups with the Vision Guild’s characteristics that allow for rapid acceleration in growth over time, hinted at a future where she wouldn’t be outdone by Yeon-hee.
‘It’s true that a witch’s lineage is extraordinary…’
But the growth of the other companions wasn’t negligible either; everyone wanted some time to fully absorb the enlightenment gained from battle into their bodies and minds.
[Everyone can rest until I signal you! The watch will be handled by Hunter Lee Yeon-hee’s summoned creatures!]
Before I arrived, Maeng Seong-yong and Yeon-hee had already concluded discussions about the watch.
‘He didn’t do much during the battle, but he sure is quick on the organizational side.’
As Maeng Seong-yong’s booming voice rang out, the exhausted Hunters gasped in joy.
Watching most of them send kind gazes toward Yeon-hee and her summoned creatures, I couldn’t help but recall the hardships and tribulations she faced in her past life.
There had even been absurd rumors circulating that she was behind the monsters invading this world.
Now, no one shunned or feared her.
‘It all started with preventing slime’s acidic liquid from splattering on Yeon-hee’s face.’
Starting from there, the gradual changes made a massive difference, causing me to nod in agreement unknowingly.
“Clap, Clap, Clap.”
“Huh? You feeling good?”
“Clap, Clap, Clap.”
The one who was my lifesaver and hero, Lee Yeon-hee.
You must find happiness in this life.
Even if the world crumbles, you should remain so.
I always think that whenever I see Yeon-hee.
‘And I hope my companions feel the same way too.’
It’s a wish that has slowly expanded beyond my initial intent.
I’d vowed to do anything for Yeon-hee’s sake, and once again, I spread my senses wide, meticulously observing the changes around me.
* * *
Have you ever seen a monster that easily towers over a hundred meters?
Even more, this monster stretches roots that surpass dozens of kilometers, do you think you could defeat such a creature?
Not too far away, while the Escalon forces engaged in battle, the first team of the Hunt Team stepped forward to answer that question.
The mysterious path created by splitting the life forces of the Barrier Mages.
Thanks to their sacrifice, we bypassed the unnecessary fight against the barrier set by the main body of the Devouring Creeper.
And into that place, the beings known as the strongest Hunters entered one by one.
* * *
The land, eroded by the essence of chaos, had turned pitch black.
All that remained on it were heaps of broken concrete and twisted rebar.
And, a monster of incomprehensible size.
This giant’s name was Devouring Creeper.
Its origin wasn’t impressive.
Unlike other great beasts, it hadn’t triggered a dungeon break; it was simply transported to an isolated place where humans rarely set foot, and it continued to survive by feeding on small animals like cats and dogs.
Though it possessed extraordinary potential, the aura emitted from its main body was pathetic, allowing it to evade detection by Hunters in the early phases of its dimensional shift.
After several months of growing in strength by consuming weak humans after weak animals…
The colossal beast managed to birth a creature.
[Ah…]
The birth of the ‘First Escalon.’
A being so endearing and proud, the new life it had created.
The Devouring Creeper poured everything into that child.
Even transferring most of the immense potential it possessed.
And that maternal love was a singularity that had never occurred in this world before, repeated several times.
[You are the beginning and the end…]
Responding to the expectations of its mother, the ‘First Child’ exhibited unimaginable growth.
Feasting on fairly strong humans cloaked in azure auras, and then stronger ones, and even more powerful beings…
The ‘First Escalon’ gradually emerged in strength, eventually rising to a level that no one could touch within the grand nations created by humans.
By slowly absorbing the physical abilities of the beings it devoured, the First Escalon became a complete entity.
At this point, it surpassed the presence of its mother entirely.
Watching that child, the Devouring Creeper thought.
[So beautiful…]
▷
It was a piece of work made by pouring their very essence into it.
[I wish to see more.]
The more beauty, the better.
The main body began creating countless other children by modeling them after the first.
[……..]
The conception and birth of the 31st child.
Yet upon giving birth, it found the quality of the offspring far from satisfying.
Seeing the children abandoning their mother’s form to follow human traits, that thought became even stronger.
The fifth child even bore quite a resemblance to the human form and displayed bizarre behaviors.
[……..]
Nevertheless, most of the children closely followed the first, and soon they succeeded in devouring a nation established by humans.
The so-called leaders among humans were busy fleeing, while those who resisted were mercilessly torn apart by the first.
One couldn’t help but think about how weak the world was.
If one were to borrow humans’ expressions, it felt like a yawn was about to escape.
“Mother. Humans are delicious… They are much softer than other feeds… especially the screams they make just before they die are so pleasing to hear.”
Not a single human died wearing the same expression before they departed.
The first Escalon declared that seeing those expressions was incredibly entertaining and fulfilling.
[So it is.]
If the child thought so, then so be it.
The Devouring Creeper suddenly grew concerned.
Humans were fragile beings with poor breeding capabilities.
What if the child ended up with no humans to play with?
[……..]
Thus began the era of the human ranch.
[Do not kill humans for amusement.]
[Do not kill humans cloaked in blue light; capture them instead.]
[Manage the number of humans without blue light.]
[Find a way to force humans without light to become imbued with it.]
With the orders of the Devouring Creeper, it didn’t take long for a nation to descend into the giant’s ranch.
That had already happened over a month ago, and now it was diligently working towards expanding its influence elsewhere…
“Today’s the end. You disgusting little monster!”
[……..?!!]
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