Chapter 18: One head smashed, two heads smashed.

While the Returnees’ gallery is mostly a place for people to bond and socialize, the Hunter gallery here seems more like a….

“Returnee chat rooms are all about socializing, while this Hunter’s Gallery is more about people biting each other, gossiping, and doing all sorts of things. Well, not always, though. Look at the legitimacy fight between the Mermaid and the Siren, and you’ll see it’s not just that simple.”

-We check that sometimes too, you know.

“This goddess has really taken a liking to the mortal world, huh?”

-It’s fun, isn’t it?

I guess it could be entertaining to check out from time to time.

Looks like some well-known guild is acting high and mighty.

Seems like there’s a lot of anonymous fights going on.

It even pops up on trending posts often.

Some people are talking behind my back, while others are defending me.

└(2xx.1xx): Idiots. Does anyone realize that fake Saintess has an inventory box? lol. Remember when a new tower popped up, there wasn’t even a fifth floor, only a sixth.

└(1xx.xx): The fake Saintess posted a screenshot on the Returnee Gallery proving she fought Raichen. She even has a golden spear. And that fifth floor you mentioned? It was spotless because it was used as a base camp. The Tower of Destruction looked like someone had already wrecked it. Know what you’re talking about before you run your mouth.

└(2xx.1xx): How do you know?

└(1xx.xx): Because I’m a Returnee lurker. If you don’t believe me, check the post just below, lol.

There are a ton of comments like this.

No reason for me to read more.

Let them tear each other apart.

The more they fight, the better for me.

It’s also amusing to see that Yoo Ji-ho, the guy who tried to put me down during my skill test, is now getting his guild dragged through the mud.

“Huh? I got a message.”

I checked my phone to see what it was.

[XXX: This is Yoo Ji-ho from the Conqueror Guild. I apologize for our first meeting. I was wondering if we could meet to discuss the Tower of Destruction incident?]

Is he out of his mind?

Who does he think he is, sending me something like this?

More importantly, how did he even get my number?

I’ve only had this phone since returning to this world.

I hate these types of people.

I need to put him in his place.

Maybe I should provoke him a little?

Judging by that speedy girl in his guild, it won’t be hard to figure out how he’ll respond.

[Saintess: I’m not interested. Does the leader of a guild really have nothing better to do than to track down someone’s phone number just to send a message like this? You must have a lot of free time.]

[Yoo Ji-ho: My apologies. I was in a hurry. Would you be interested in joining our guild? We offer benefits for dungeon and tower climbing.]

[Saintess: LOL, why would I want to play with you guys? You’re all a joke, gossiping behind my back. How did it feel seeing the empty third floor of the Tower? It’s all over the forums, you know.]

[Yoo Ji-ho: I didn’t want to go this far, but it seems you don’t understand how things work in this community. You monopolized the key to the fourth floor, didn’t you? The Guild Alliance has decided to block access to the fourth floor. I suggest you reconsider and join us, or climb the tower with us. Don’t regret it later.]

[Saintess: LOL, go ahead and try. Do you think I’ll lose to a bunch of people who just stood around laughing while I cleared the third floor? You’re delusional. And monopolizing the key? I got it because I earned it. None of you have any right to talk about it, especially since I climbed solo. Good luck~ I’m blocking you now.]

I blocked Yoo Ji-ho.

There’s probably going to be a bloodbath soon.

If they come at me with force, I’ll just crush them with force.

It actually works out in my favor.

I’ll get to smash some heads under the pretense of self-defense.

Oh, I really hope they come. I could use some more blood for my offerings to the goddess.

-If someone heard you, they’d think I only want blood offerings.

“You don’t mind, do you? Weren’t you after the souls of demons when we fought the Demon King?”

-You’re too sharp. But isn’t South Korea a country governed by law? Would they really come for you?

“That’s the thing. You seem to be unaware that people like them try to dodge the law by bribing higher-ups with gift boxes. It’s been like this forever.”

-Well, that does sound interesting.

So, how will they come for me?

They said they’d unite to block me from climbing the fourth floor.

But there’s no rule that says guilds can prevent solo climbers.

This just means someone like Yoo Ji-ho must have connections with higher-ups.

They’ll probably make direct contact with me.

From what I’ve learned in that other world, they’ll likely resort to force first.

After all, everyone will want to get their hands on the key I have.

If that fails, they’ll try to negotiate for a cut of the profits.

So force won’t necessarily be their last resort.

And that time came quicker than I expected.

I was about to go to bed when some idiots broke in through my window.

I thought about smashing their heads immediately but decided to lure them in so I could trace them back to their boss.

It’s easier to track them when I catch them inside my place.

“Heh, they had to hire us because they couldn’t handle one chick?”

“Didn’t she mess with the Silver Lightning Gang? This could be fun.”

“Man, she’s hot. Can I have a go at her?”

They made it all the way into my room?

Good.

The further they come, the better.

Come to think of it, it seems like the country’s gotten even more messed up since the Cataclysm.

Back in the day, South Korea was known for its safety.

But being in that other world for so long has left me unamused by surprise attacks like this.

Where do they get off thinking they can have a go at me?

“Wow, you guys came quicker than I expected.”

I slowly got up and confirmed the Silver Lightning Gang insignia on their chests.

I had a feeling it was them.

So, these are the guys they sent after me.

“Oh, so you were awake? Heh, you think you can take us on?”

“Let me check something first. Are you guys with the Silver Lightning Gang?”

“Oh, you know us well?”

One of the thugs gave me the answer I wanted.

In other words, they’re criminals.

Villains, to be exact.

Which means I can kill them in complete self-defense.

And it’s perfect timing too.

I was planning to wipe out the Silver Lightning Gang anyway.

“Oh, that makes things easier.”

“This chick must be crazy. What the—”

Before the thug could finish his sentence, his head was gone, smashed by the mace I swung.

Pieces of his shattered skull flew everywhere.

Cleaning it up later with magic would be easy, but this is still disgusting.

Maybe I should’ve handled this outside?

No, I’m still a Saintess after all.

I can’t just leave bodies scattered around outside, can I?

Well, whatever.

“One down.”

“This crazy bitch! Kill her!”

“No, the ones dying here are you.”

I quickly crushed the heads of two more thugs.

The room was now stained with the blood and remains of what was once the Silver Lightning Gang.

If they really wanted to take me down, they should’ve sent someone stronger.

Not that it would make a difference.

“These losers.”

One of them screamed and started running away.

-One’s trying to flee.

“Let him go. He’ll lead us right to their hideout.”

Everything was going according to plan.

The last thug jumped out the window, trying to escape.

You know what the hallmark of a villain is?

They always value their own lives too much, so they’ll run to find others to help them.

They never plan on dying alone.

And sure enough, he’ll lead me right to his base.

I jumped out of the window as well.

Armor?

The Saintess doesn’t need something like that.

“Damn it, is that crazy woman following me?!”

I chased after the surviving member of the Silver Lightning Gang as he fled down an alleyway.

I wasn’t sure where he was going, but the stench of filth told me it was definitely related to their gang.

“What’s this? An intruder?”

“Hey lady, looks like you’re lost. Want a little tour of the inside?”

“I’d like to tour your inside, hah!”

The stench-filled scumbags laughed, their Silver Lightning Gang badges visible.

I swung my mace, smashing their heads without wasting time.

Crack!

Smash!

There was no need to exchange words with these small fries.

Just kill them all.

“Ah, no! Don’t come near me!”

“To fools like you, divine punishment.”

Crack!

The one who had taunted me moments before was now dead, his head destroyed.

The one who tried to run had definitely led me to the gang’s hideout.

I set up a wide holy barrier around the area.

No one would be escaping.

“What’s this? Why can’t we get out?”

“Who set up this barrier?”

The gang members were getting desperate, pounding on the barrier around their hideout.

They won’t be able to break it, though.

It’s divine power, after all.

And now, I’ll deliver salvation to these poor, pitiful souls.

“It’s me.”

“Huh?”

Crack!

Ugh, this is getting boring.

Smashing human heads isn’t nearly as fun as crushing monster skulls.

They break way too easily.

“This crazy bitch doesn’t care about human life!”

“Human life? To me, you’re like flies.”

I crushed the head of the thug who called me crazy.

They’re the ones who shouldn’t be talking about valuing life.

The public would probably call me a psychopath.

They’d say I’m just a crazy killer.

Well, they wouldn’t be wrong.

It’s definitely satisfying, but that doesn’t mean I’m killing innocent people.

Take for example—

“Please save us! Please!”

A group of women who were about to be sold off were huddled in one corner of the hideout.

The moment they saw me, they cried out for help.

They had been beaten and stripped, clear signs of abuse.

What a bunch of garbage these thugs were.

Standing in front of the women was a man holding a black bag.

He looked like he was about to make a deal.

“%$%$^&*!”

“Judging by his language and clothes, is he Chinese?”

If so, this could be part of an organ trafficking ring.

Despite the chaos in their country, China still seems to be running its operations.

Not that I care.

I smashed his head in too.

“&^%&&!*&”

More of his lackeys rushed at me.

I deflected their baseball bat attacks with my mace and countered with crushing blows.

I swung my mace with all my strength, over and over, without stopping.

A short time later—

Smash!

“How many did I kill this time?”

The room had turned into a sea of blood, littered with shattered heads.

How many skulls did I break?