Ch.72There’s One More Monster Here

# Is This World Predetermined From Birth?

Is everything in this world determined from the moment we’re born?

Elementary school—a place everyone attends regardless of what they eat or where they live.

…I was from the very bottom of society, someone who couldn’t even attend such a basic school.

“Grandma, are you okay up front?”

“Yes, dear. With my granddaughter helping, it’s not hard at all.”

“Hehe. Really?”

I never knew my mom or dad.

My only family was the cart-pulling grandmother who raised me after finding me abandoned under a bridge when I was too young to remember.

Though we were desperately poor and slept in her cart every night during my childhood, I don’t think I was unhappy, looking back.

I just had many regrets.

“Damn, so much homework again today!”

“Hey, let’s not worry about that. Want to hit the PC cafe after we’re done?”

“Sure!”

Compulsory education.

Free school meals.

Child support payments.

If those policies had actually been implemented, could even a penniless person like me have gone to school?

Could I have laughed happily and made friends like everyone else?

…I knew long ago that such thoughts were a luxury in this world where monsters appeared. At least it seemed peaceful.

But I still dreamed about it.

Because life was too harsh when you started with nothing and never even had a chance.

Because I was tired of risking my life selling equipment to Hunters when monsters appeared, while normal people evacuated.

“I want to study…”

I wasn’t unhappy.

It wasn’t even that hard.

I just wanted to die because I was so exhausted.

…But as they say, rolling in a field of manure is still better than the afterlife.

“G-Grandma!”

“Oh my goodness…!”

One late evening, as usual, we went out to sell items to Hunters after hearing about a monster appearance.

When I saw the high-rise building collapsing toward us, I realized something.

I really didn’t want to die.

If possible, I wanted to live longer and experience things I hadn’t done yet.

And at that moment.

‘He’ appeared.

A pitch-black body.

A face like a beast wearing a helmet.

Though his arms and legs were human-like, he was unmistakably a monster.

But despite being a monster…

“Grrrr…”

He saved us, and at the same time, showed me something.

No matter how you’re born, if there’s something you want to do, you just need to do it.

I was a fool for giving up just because of money, while there were those who fought beyond the boundaries of species.

From that point on, my life changed.

After earning money, I always studied—the thing I had wanted so badly.

Instead of going to school, I prepared for the equivalency exam. And when I fought with homeless people who tried to claim territory, I discovered a talent I never knew I had.

“Would you like to be my apprentice?”

“Ap-apprentice…?”

“Yes. I was looking for someone to teach as I prepare for retirement. My daughter’s style is too different, but I think I could teach a Fighter Hunter like you.”

My consistent efforts finally paid off.

All thanks to that pitch-black monster mister who created the turning point in my life.

Ironically, I was saved by the hand of the monsters I had resented.

But such coincidences happen only once in life.

After that, I persevered firmly, thinking there would be no more such events as I worked to become like him.

“A coincidence… happened… again…”

“Don’t talk! I’m removing the strange energy inside your body!”

The Monster of Jamsil.

Watching Shinwoo, now called by that name, literally crushing Heejeong who had turned into a monster, Yoo Cheran could fall asleep in Kurumi’s arms with a smile returning to her face.

***

It was strange.

It made no sense.

It was unrealistic.

“What the hell is this crazy bastard?!”

I’m a being merged with a National Disaster-level monster from America, the world’s strongest superpower—not just some pretend-advanced country like Korea!

I could be called a “goddess” without exaggeration!

But what on earth is this creature?

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

She charged forward, transforming her entire body into sharp blades, drawing on the monster’s memories as she displayed her skill of slicing people like cubes.

The surrounding area was not just finely sliced but turned to dust, leaving no trace behind.

Yet even in such a moment, he merely maintained a “strange posture” while taking my attacks.

“Why! Are you! So tough! You bastard!”

It was a first.

Meeting a real monster whose body I couldn’t even tell if my attacks were penetrating.

“Grrrr…”

“…!”

And it was another first.

Feeling fear again like when I was human, despite having this perfect body.

“D-damn it!”

Realizing her attacks weren’t working, Heejeong delivered one final slash with all her might before immediately turning around.

Then, as if saying “screw my pride,” she prepared to make a run for it.

“S-see you next time!”

Every monster has its own balance.

Just as the monster that had merged with her had overwhelming attack power but weak durability.

The monster form of that nerd must surely have supreme defense at the cost of speed!

Heejeong completed these perfect calculations in her head as she jumped high into the air to leap over the collapsed building behind her.

But at that moment.

BOOM!

“Kuhak?!”

She was caught by the pitch-black monster who had somehow caught up, grabbing her face and slamming her into the ground.

‘H-he has that much defense… and this much speed too?!’

Impossible!

Impossibleimpossibleimpossibleimpossibleimpossibleimpossibleimpossible-!!

This is completely unfair.

If something is strong, it should have a weakness.

…Or maybe his attack power is weak?

“Don’t get cocky!!”

Heejeong shook off the pitch-black monster’s hand that was gripping her head with all her might.

She then recklessly protected her entire body with blades again and swung one arm to cut the opponent’s neck…

Slash.

“Aaaaaahhh?!”

…or so she tried.

“My, my arm! My aaaaarm!”

The joke is over.

Now it gets real.

As if saying that, the pitch-black monster simply swung his hand in a chopping motion without any special ability.

“Aaaaaaaaahhh!!”

My arm.

Heejeong screamed uncontrollably as she saw her arm cleanly severed from her body, falling to the ground with a thud.

However, before she could fully feel the pain…

Thud!

“Kuhup?!”

Next was her solar plexus.

Slap!

“Kek?!”

Then a slap to her cheek.

And so began the one-sided beating.

“S-save me! Save meee…!”

Beyond pain, feeling like she was about to shatter, Heejeong was now reduced to begging for her life.

Because she didn’t want to die.

Because she wanted to live.

The only fortunate thing was that her opponent wasn’t a merciless monster but a human just like her.

“I-I’m sorry!!”

“……”

“I apologize! I won’t do it again!”

As she was being stepped on, Heejeong desperately grabbed Shinwoo’s ankle, begging for her life.

Of course, there was no guarantee he would spare her.

He might even be momentarily stunned, then become angrier and tear her apart right away.

But you know what?

If she could create even that brief moment of confusion…!

“You didn’t expect this!!”

“Kruk?!”

Pretending to beg for forgiveness, she transformed one leg into a blade and, taking advantage of everyone’s lowered guard, directed a slash not at Shinwoo in front of her but toward Yoo Cheran.

“Grrrrrk!”

‘Cheran! Princess!’

At this, Shinwoo hurriedly stopped beating her and ran toward the two, acting as a shield.

“Huff, huff…! See you next time! I’ll definitely come back for revenge!”

Heejeong, now able to get up, scattered dust around her and escaped the scene with those terrible words.

***

“Huff…! Huff…!”

I was overconfident.

To think there was a monster stronger than me.

Or maybe it’s natural?

After all, I still felt like I hadn’t fully grown.

Anyway, I was lucky this time.

And I obtained good information.

“Damn it! Damn damn damn! I’ll definitely get revenge!”

To think that the identity of the Monster of Jamsil was none other than an ordinary human.

Moreover, that man is, as far as I know, the son of Rolling, a National Authority-level Hunter of the Korean Hunter Association.

Which means he’s also Sophia’s brother!

“How should I use this information? How can I bring him down?!”

I’m not sure how to use it yet.

But from the moment he let me escape, the advantage has shifted to my side.

So the next time we meet, I’ll make him feel the despair and pain equivalent to my lost arm.

“That’s far enough.”

“?!”

As Heejeong was thinking this, almost reaching the outskirts of Hongdae…

“Heejeong. I’ve come to end your evil deeds.”

“…Who are you?”

The boy standing in front of Heejeong.

He had bright golden short hair like Sophia and brown eyes lighter than Shinwoo’s.

He carried what looked like a weapon on his back, but his aura was no different from an ordinary person’s, making Heejeong laugh in disbelief.

“This is ridiculous… Are you some fool who came to hunt me down just because I lost an arm…?”

“Heejeong. You will continue to commit many evil deeds. As a result, the future world has become an even worse hell because of you.”

However, the boy continued speaking as if she were just a backdrop, showing no fear of her.

Crack.

“I don’t know where trash like you rolled in from. Do you think someone like you can stand in my way?”

Irritated by the boy’s attitude, Heejeong transformed all the fingers of her remaining hand into blades and slowly walked forward to kill this fearless young boy.

“Despair and be afraid!”

“……”

“I was going to spare you because you look like a Western man, but now I definitely have to kill you.”

“Oh, really?”

Smirk.

But even in that moment.

“But can you really do that?”

“?!”

The boy still smiled leisurely.

“And that guy who just beat you up isn’t the only human who can transform into a monster.”

“…What?”

With those words, the boy drew the sword from his back.

“UWAAAAAAAAA-!!”

He let out a roar that shook Heejeong’s senses, just like déjà vu.

A moment later.

“Eek?!”

Pitch-black skin.

A body covered in what looked like armor.

Two horns protruding from his head.

And finally, a holy sword consumed by dark demonic energy.

“I will…”

“?! You can speak…!”

“Kill you here. Heejeong.”

The boy, now transformed into a monster, finished his words and immediately charged toward Heejeong.