Chapter 26: Identification of Pia

『Impossible.』

The battle was over.

Titan watched as Jo Sung-Il’s Breath subsided.

『No way.』

Its core crumbled, and its blackened body began to melt and collapse.

『Who… are you…?』

Titan’s dying eyes, filled with questions, fixed on Jo Sung-Il.

Jo Sung-Il remained silent. It was the only mercy he could offer.

Crack.

Titan’s bones crumbled to dust.

“Not even a grave in this land.”

Jo Sung-Il muttered.

[Harbinger of Doom, Titan, eliminated.]
[Congratulations on completing your first battle as champion.]

“Thank you.”

Champion.
He now understood.

‘I represent the fate of this world.’

The world’s end depended on how he dealt with future Harbingers.

‘Perhaps that’s too self-important.’

This world was run by Hunters, not him.

“Hmm.”

He looked around.

Hunters had survived.

‘No one noteworthy.’

Except for the winged man in priest’s robes, hovering and watching him.

THUMP! THUMP!

Jo Sung-Il, exhausted, began to walk. He didn’t want to interact with the Hunters.

He was drained from the battle. He had little energy left.

He needed to return to his lair and get help from the World Tree.

The Hunters watched him leave.

“Is that… the same monster?”
“It looks like it saved us.”
“No way. …Really?”

For the first time, they felt something akin to awe towards a monster.

Contrary to his expectations, they didn’t attack him.

They simply watched him leave, not even thinking of reporting the incident.

They remained until he disappeared.

“Yes, it’s been eliminated.”

Colonel Yoo Sang-Jin, back in his office, reported to his superiors.

“Another monster appeared and dealt with it. The same one as before, I believe.”

The commander on the other end sounded confused, asking if it was just a fight between monsters.

Yoo Sang-Jin chuckled dryly.

‘It wasn’t.’

The monster that fought Titan, the announced calamity, was clearly different.

“The Hunter Association will likely release a statement soon. Should we preempt them?”

He didn’t know what the Association would say. He wanted to provide objective information about the monster to the media.

He couldn’t dismiss it as just another monster.

But the military was rigid. The commander didn’t want to steal the Association’s thunder.

Yoo Sang-Jin sighed. He was frustrated, but he knew better than to argue.

“Yes, sir. We’ll defer to the Hunter Association.”

The military’s influence had diminished since the emergence of monsters and Hunters.

Hunters were often more powerful than military equipment. He had Awakened as a military officer and served his country diligently, yet he couldn’t even voice his opinion freely.

‘It can’t be helped.’

It was disappointing, but not everyone in the military avoided responsibility. That’s why he continued to serve.

He replied formally,

“Understood. We’ll proceed accordingly. Yes, sir. Understood. Thank you, sir. Over.”

The call ended. He dialed another number.

–Hello.

“Hello, Director Seo Da-In.”

It was the Director.

“I’m calling to inquire if you’ve received a detailed report about the giant monster, Titan.”

–The military is leaving it to us, I see.

“I apologize.”

–It’s alright. I know you’re doing your best.

The Hunter Association kept tabs on Hunters in the military.

But the military’s closed nature made them difficult to contact. Yoo Sang-Jin was an exception.

“That monster was different.”

He shared his observations.

“It saved me.”

–Are you sure?

“I’m certain. I can tell.”

–…I see.

Seo Da-In paused.

“Did I say something wrong?”

–No, just thinking.

“I have an unusual request.”

He hesitated.

“I’d appreciate minimal public disclosure about that monster, to prevent hasty judgment.”

–Minimal disclosure?

“Yes. I understand you can’t simply trust my word, so I’m asking for time until a proper assessment can be made.”

–Unexpected.

She had never seen him like this.

–I thought you were merciless towards monsters.

“I am. But that’s based on experience. New information requires reconsideration.”

He wasn’t being indecisive, but expressing his conviction.

“If possible, please consider my request. That’s all.”

A concise ending.

Seo Da-In sighed.

–Alright. I’ll do my best.

“Thank you.”

Seo Da-In was known for her hatred of monsters. He was surprised by her agreement.

‘I didn’t expect her to accept so readily.’

It was a good outcome.

“I’ll be heading to my next mission.”

–Yes, take care.

The call ended. Yoo Sang-Jin left. Seo Da-In sighed.

“…What is that monster?”

During their last encounter, it had lectured her and left. She felt a headache coming.

‘It’s bothering me.’

She had always seen monsters as the enemy, never questioning that distinction.

But now she couldn’t. The monster could have killed her, but it hadn’t. And it had even earned the colonel’s support.

It was different.

Doubt plagued her.

“Sigh.”

No answers came to mind. She remembered someone.

“I don’t know.”

She called Han So-Yeon. She needed to ask about the monster.

It would likely benefit the monster too.