Ch.22Online Disciple Song Hayeon (1)

After eating the lobster, Baek Seoha returned to her room and slowly reflected on the recent events surrounding Baek Eunha.

‘At least his new friends all seemed nice…’

In truth, Baek Seoha had invited them all to her home to conduct a simple verification.

She wanted to check if they were approaching him with selfish motives, trying to take advantage of her position as an A-rank Hunter and family member, or if they harbored inappropriate feelings attracted by his appearance.

‘Even if his contents are a bit subtle, he’s still pretty and cute.’

However, there were no problems.

They didn’t even know she was Baek Eunha’s family to begin with.

The way they became friends was quite modest.

‘…But seriously, mackerel bones?’

It was absurd, but that was just like her brother.

Honestly, she thought she might develop feelings for someone who could debone fish for her in an instant too.

And then, there was that minor accident during the dungeon tour.

When she first heard the news, she was startled, but her brother not only avoided injury but played a crucial role in clearing the dungeon.

Baek Eunha had the ability to take care of himself. Realizing this fact made her feel somewhat relieved.

‘Of course, there are still many concerns about letting him out into society…’

But he was improving remarkably quickly compared to when they first reunited a year and several months ago.

Back then, he couldn’t even go outside unless he was tightly held in her arms.

‘And finally, today’s events.’

Not only did he pass the test in one go, but he started at D-rank. To be honest, he could be said to have extraordinary talent.

‘…I didn’t expect him to do this well.’

It was impressive, but also strange.

To be honest, everything aligned too perfectly to be mere coincidence.

Even so, it was true that she was starting to have different thoughts by this point.

‘Perhaps, what he’s been saying all this time is really…?’

But despite that, she wasn’t very convinced.

Conquering an entire castle alone, subjugating a god-like being and making it his subordinate—every experience Baek Eunha had talked about was nothing short of preposterous.

Baek Seoha carefully enumerated her memories of her brother.

[Brother, are you sick? What’s wrong?]

[…I played all day and got demoted.]

Like when he was rolling around under the blanket with a gloomy face after losing in a game.

[H-how do I wear this?]

[…Want me to help?]

Or when he first bought women’s clothing, struggling to put it on himself before finally asking for help.

‘This is… the Lord of Death?’

No matter how she thought about it, it didn’t match up. Baek Seoha decided to conclude that her thoughts were simply a misunderstanding.

“But he definitely has talent…”

Baek Eunha would probably level up quickly and become a high-rank Hunter.

Of course, that was assuming he could form a party and run dungeons normally.

‘I should talk to him about it.’

Baek Seoha finished her contemplation and slowly headed toward her brother’s room.

#

Squeeeze.

Squeeeze.

“Ah, it won’t open…”

After devouring all the lobster, I returned to my room and was checking my abilities after a long time.

Slurp.

An ominous book with sharp teeth and a suspicious tongue.

My original artifact, the Book of Death, which I had created after researching various alchemy for a long period of time over there.

Squeeeeeze!

“Ugh.”

Since it was directly connected to my soul, I could somehow summon it now that I had completed my awakening.

Slurp.

However, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t even open the first page. It seemed completely unusable in my current state.

‘There’s not even a hint of the Netherworld Seal emerging…’

As expected, the problem was my level.

Both issues could only be resolved by leveling up.

Thud.

I unsummoned the Book of Death and lay on the bed, panting.

‘…Honestly, high-rank dungeons would be difficult in this state.’

Compared to my prime, there were mountains of abilities I couldn’t use. Among them, this Book of Death was special.

Only by opening it could I summon my true original undead.

“What a hassle…”

In the end, it seemed I had no choice but to be patient and tackle low-rank dungeons step by step.

No matter how great I was, I needed to be careful in my current weakened state.

Knock knock.

“Can I come in now?”

As I was rolling around on the bed, Seoha came to my room for some reason. I got up and opened the door myself.

Click.

“What is it?”

Seoha took me to sit on the bed. Then she calmly began the conversation.

“What are you planning to do from now on?”

“About Hunter work?”

“Yes.”

Indeed, everything up to now was just the starting point; what matters is what comes next.

I thought seriously before answering.

“…Just keep running dungeons, I guess?”

Honestly, there wasn’t much else to do.

But Seoha, as if that wasn’t the answer she wanted, began to bring up topics herself.

“Well, I mean. Have you thought about parties or guilds? After all, you have many difficulties in those areas.”

“…Ah.”

Only then did I understand what kind of conversation she wanted to have.

I answered without hesitation.

“Just join any party and…”

“And?”

“Just, you know, normally?”

To be honest, I hadn’t given it much thought. Since I could clear everything by myself anyway, there was no need to consider teammates, right?

If necessary, I could just let them be background characters while I did my own thing. But Seoha seemed to have different ideas.

“Brother. The higher the dungeon rank, the more important communication becomes.”

“Y-yeah, I guess so.”

“You need to clearly know each other’s specialties, adjust your styles, and communicate extensively. From C-rank dungeons, it’s common to gather beforehand for briefings and coordination. Can you do that?”

Honestly, it was impossible.

All I could manage now was short conversations without making eye contact. That was it.

“If I just meet the required number of people and do my own thing…”

“Without any communication at all?”

To that, I answered with a confident face.

“In Bronze-Silver-Gold, muting everyone is the correct strategy.”

“…”

After that, I was lectured extensively again about how reality is not a game.

As I hung my head low, Seoha continued with concern.

“Brother, at least fifteen B-rank or higher Hunters have died in the dungeons I’ve cleared so far.”

“…”

“Even talented and strong people die when it’s their time.”

That statement was certainly correct. I too had witnessed such scenes countless times.

“When unexpected situations arise, you absolutely need companions who can serve as minimal insurance. Besides, unless a high-rank Hunter enters a low-rank dungeon, you need at least four people to get permission.”

Come to think of it, such restrictions did exist. But forming a proper party of four or more was completely impossible with my current communication skills.

As I fell into contemplation, Seoha proudly presented her proposal.

“So I have a plan prepared, first we’ll hire one high-rank Hunter and…”

“Ah.”

That’s when it hit me. I thought of someone perfect for this situation.

“I have someone for the party.”

“Huh, really?”

My first disciple I met online a few months ago, Song Hayeon.

I remember receiving a message from her just last week about her promotion to B-rank.

“From B-rank and above, solo runs of D-rank dungeons are possible, right?”

“W-well, yes…”

Song Hayeon would surely make an excellent party-filler background character.

#

Ding.

[Um… so you’re saying you need me specifically for some kind of business?]

[Yes.]

[Great! I’d be happy to, but are you sure?]

[About what?]

Song Hayeon, now a promising B-rank Hunter, was dumbfounded by the sudden message that arrived late at night.

[Like, isn’t your identity supposed to be a secret or something?]

[It’s not like we’ll never see each other again, so what does it matter.]

To be honest, Song Hayeon was extremely curious as well.

HellLord12’s true identity.

‘In the end, it wasn’t Helena, and I couldn’t think of anyone else.’

But now, she would soon be able to face his true appearance. Song Hayeon was already trembling with anticipation and nervousness.

‘He must be an incredibly charismatic person. Maybe he’s a muscular, handsome foreign man like in the movies…’

Recently, she had sought advice for her lacking close combat skills, so she knew. HellLord12 was also skilled in martial arts. He probably had a well-trained body.

Also, judging from the way he usually spoke, he was more likely to be male than female.

All sorts of imaginative scenarios began to unfold in Song Hayeon’s mind.

‘…I’m dying of curiosity.’

Ding.

[I’ll definitely come! Please let me know if you need anything!]

In any case, the time had finally come to repay her debt.

Song Hayeon herself was now a skilled and popular B-rank Hunter and top streamer.

She had now risen to a position where she could sufficiently help him, and that fact somehow made her extremely happy.

Ding.

[See you tomorrow then!]

[Sure.]

Song Hayeon tried to suppress her excited feelings as she went to bed.

She wondered what role she would play from now on—it was truly a heart-pounding moment.