Chapter 20 - Chapter 20

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Translator: 8uhl

Chapter: 20

Chapter Title: Impatience

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Rumble.

'That thing's the size of a mountain, but it sure can dodge.'

The Three Portraits twisted its massive canvas sideways to evade my attack, then spat out palette knives like bullets.

Whizz.

I dodged casually with my shield and movement skill. The knives embedded themselves menacingly into the wooden floor.

Crunch.

Se-bin extended her hand, and a massive hand burst from the shadow beneath the Three Portraits, clamping down on the canvas.

"Kieeeek!!"

As the canvas crumpled, crimson paint oozed from its three identical faces.

Thud, thud, thud.

The Three Portraits twisted wildly to break free from the shadow hand before hurling palette knives in every direction.

Ting.

"Ngh..."

I flung the shield aside before the knife lodged in it could dig deeper.

Thud.

Se-bin leaped toward it to finish the job, but the agonized faces suddenly brightened.

'Attack reflection!'

"Kang Se-bin, get back!!"

"Huh, wha?"

Bang!!

I yanked my shield in front of Se-bin faster than her blade could reach the canvas. A palette knife slammed into it. I pulled the trigger again, shoving bullets into the Three Portraits.

Kaboom!!

The bullets that struck it reflected back at me but merely grazed past harmlessly, leaving no mark.

Kiyaaaaah!!

Off-balance, the Three Portraits wailed in a grotesque grimace before splitting clean in half.

"Now!"

"Huh? Oh!"

At my signal, Se-bin regripped her sword and slashed down from above.

Boom!

It shattered into pieces and crashed to the floor, twitching before crumbling to ash and vanishing.

The melee ended in a flash. Se-bin blinked wide-eyed, glancing between the monster's remains and me, then slowly tilted her head as if piecing it together.

"Oh, you called me back because of the reflection skill?"

She catches on quick.

Se-bin straightened her head and gazed at me with her usual gentle smile.

"Yeah. My skills don't affect allies, so I'm fine, but you could've gotten hurt."

"Ji-ui!"

Se-bin buried her face in my shoulder like she was touched. I felt a swell of pride, my lips curling up childishly.

"Huh? But Hunter Kang Se-bin, you dodge reflection skills so well!"

"..."

"Eh."

Se-bin's nuzzling froze. She craned her neck toward Han Jin-woo, who stared back with an innocent expression. He continued in a genuinely curious tone.

"Reflection skills are easy to dodge once you get the hang of them! Especially for close-combat hunters like you or Ha Mi-jun Hunter..."

"Let's get going."

Se-bin snapped her head up and flashed Han Jin-woo a smile.

'Her eyes aren't smiling.'

Maybe it was the eerie backdrop, but her expression felt chilling.

"Oh, but how'd you know that monster had attack reflection?"

My heart sank at Han Jin-woo's question.

I couldn't mention the Creator, so I'd have to bluff.

"Just a hunch."

"Whoa, SS-Rank instincts or something~"

Thank goodness for his soft personality. He let it slide without pressing and took the lead up the stairs.

Creak.

The light-bearer pointed to a door right at the top of the stairs. Opening the plush-looking door revealed a vast open space.

"Looks like the auditorium."

Unidentified liquid dripped from the podium on stage, and the red curtains on the windows hung in tatters.

"Ah, there's the gate!"

The iron door we'd forced open earlier stood in front of the stage.

'Where the heck is Nokdu?'

Clear was right around the corner, but I hadn't seen a single furry animal, let alone a wolf. I scanned around, even opening cabinets in hopes it was hiding, but only creepy dolls stared back.

"For now, Han Jin-woo Hunter, focus on defense and healing."

"Got it!"

"Ji-ui, you dodge hard and only attack when you can. One solid hit with that power and attribute should end it."

"Okay."

After the briefing, Se-bin placed her hand on the gate. Nothing happened, so she glanced around puzzled when a sound came from behind.

The auditorium doors swung open, and humanoid figures entered. They sang as they climbed onto the stage, followed by more figures of varying appearances filing in one after another.

'Graduation song?'

Different voices sang the same lyrics in unison, overlapping into a chorus by the end of the verse.

The figures lined up, facing us. The piano accompaniment was serene, their voices bright and cheerful. That made it all the creepier. I gripped Ego tight, staring at the figures and holding my breath until their song ended.

The song ended. The figures clapped and giggled before climbing onto chairs on stage and slipping nooses around their necks—no one knew when the ropes had appeared.

"Gasp!"

My breath caught. Deafening applause and cheers filled the auditorium, interspersed with horrific screams.

The ten silhouettes dangling from the stage swayed limply before merging into one. A left foot in sneakers, a right in dress shoes, mismatched arms, a head and torso crudely stitched together—like a doll made by an incompetent artisan.

"This skill level won't cut it!"

"What's the point of a loser like me living?"

"That grade was pure luck."

"I want to die."

"I don't want to die!"

Ugh!

Voices poured from the monster—different tones, same message.

Endless self-loathing.

I shone my power on the monster.

No clue what those skills do from the names. And what's with that special note?

"Humanoid types are always tricky."

No sooner had Se-bin spoken than Impatience spun toward us at terrifying speed. I backpedaled, and it extended a leg behind before bouncing lightly my way. I aimed Ego right away.

Bang!!

The white orb flew at its head, but its body split in half, sending my shot smashing the podium behind instead. I raised a shield fast, but its sharp hand edge reached me first.

Screech.

"Argh!"

Sharp pain raced up my arm. Its fingertip grazed my forearm, shredding cloth and splattering blood. First direct hit—vision swam, but I gritted my teeth and smashed Ego down on its head.

Crack.

Impatience faltered at the raw blow, freezing briefly. I fired a white orb into the gap.

Ting.

'Glancing blow.'

The sonic bullet barely clipped its neck, nearly severing it. Viscous black liquid oozed from the gash.

"Teacher, please!"

"I'm not fit to live."

"This ruins the move!!"

Despairing words drilled into my ears again as Impatience twisted its joints grotesquely, dancing horrifically.

Crunch.

Then a hand erupted from its shadow, binding its limbs tight. It thrashed and slashed at the shadow, but more hands emerged, wrapping it firmer.

"Ji-ui!"

"Okay!"

Bang!!

I pulled the trigger at its head. Its body shredded, pieces flying everywhere.

"Ugh..."

The gruesome sight made me grimace. I spread my shield like an umbrella to block the foul flesh chunks.

Even as an umbrella, progress ticks up. Loose criteria.

Splat, splat.

As its body hit the auditorium floor, Han Jin-woo floated over on a brown furball.

"How's the arm?"

"Oh, fine!"

'Speaking of, why doesn't it hurt now?'

My right arm had a faint bloodstain on the clothes, but the wound was gone.

"When did you heal it?"

"Right when you got hit, Shin Ji-ui Hunter. I can do ranged healing!"

Han Jin-woo flashed a V-sign with a bright grin.

"Anyway, you're amazing! One shot and it's done!"

"Se-bin set up the opening."

I glanced her way and saw an unexpectedly grave expression.

"But why no rewards in this dungeon?"

True, rewards were random, but zero low-grade byproducts was odd.

Splat.

Before the question resolved, Impatience's scattered pieces began merging.

'Wait—destroy the original form?'

I recalled the special note.

Is the real body elsewhere?

Drip, drip, drip.

Impatience no longer bothered resembling a person. Limbs clumped together, face fused to its belly. Primitive horror crawled up my spine as tears of blood streamed from its eyes.

"Uh..."

Overwhelming helplessness and despair crushed me. Limbs refused to move.

'Why did I come here? Can I even beat this?'

Impatience's razor claws arced toward my throat in slow motion.

"Ji-ui!!"

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