< Hero Hunting (1) >
'It's impossible to win against the Flame Emperor using normal methods.'
My heart was pounding. I tried my best to calm down, but it wasn't easy. Wouldn't it be natural? I just died from having my head to toes burnt crisp.
It was truly horrifying… to have my raw flesh and bones burnt to a crisp.
"Shit, that fucking bastard."
I glared at the scraps of paper glued all over the walls.
This was the Flame Emperor's history. There were numerous interviews and articles glued on the wall. They recorded his journey from rookie years to becoming the World's Rank 1.
Obviously, there were many photos of him too. It disgusted me, and I wanted to tear them all apart.
"Tsk. Even if I killed him, won't he just return 24 hours prior to his death?"
I couldn't kill him even if I wanted to.
This was a big problem.
'Truthfully, isn't that an invincible cheat?'
Not only was our skill difference like comparing the sun to a small firefly, the Flame Emperor was the World's Rank 1 and I was not even ranked(外). While the Tower acknowledged me for having the greatest envy… strong envy did not mean I had talent.
Even if a miracle or a fluke happened, it was difficult for me to kill the Flame Emperor.
'And even if I manage to kill him, there is a bigger problem to deal with.'
What would happen if I had killed the Flame Emperor?
He would simply return 24 hours prior to his death and that would be the end of me. The Flame Emperor would use all means to kill me. When he realizes he can't kill me, he would just confine me for eternity.
Perhaps he would make an underground prison to imprison me.
With the Flame Emperor's physical strength and skills, it would be an easy task for him to subdue me. And then, I would live the rest of my life confined in a prison cell.
Kim Gongja's Bad Ending #2. Flashy Imprisonment Ending.
"Fuck…"
Killing him is a problem. Dying to him is also a problem.
How am I going to act out my revenge on this psychopath?
'What should I do?'
'How can I beat the Rank 1?'
A day passed by.
I spent 24 hours shut in my apartment thinking about it.
I stared at the newspaper and articles glued on the wall, brainstorming. Every information pertaining to the Flame Emperor was right there. Perhaps examining it would give me some sort of hint.
『The Flame Emperor single-handedly subjugates the 39th floor!』
『The Flame Emperor clears the 38th floor alone! Another legendary feat!』
『Hunter Yoo Sooha crowned as the World's Rank 1. The first Korean to achieve it!』
.
『Disappearance of the Sword Saint & the empty Rank 1. Who will take the throne? Expert foreigners believe "Yoo Sooha from Korea is the best candidate."』
『The impregnable 10th floor cleared! Who is the mysterious hero?』
『22 days since the Sword Saint's disappearance. Will the Hunter Association face its worst crisis?』
It was at that moment.
"Huh?"
I made a shocking discovery.
"Wait a minute. ···Look at this!"
I was mumbling to myself while touching the scrap of newspaper. It was an interview I found from an online site, but I printed out the original article and glued it here.
+
Q. Yoo Soohnim, when did you experience your first awakening?
A. During summer when I was 21. So it's been 11 years.
Q. You must have good memory to be able to accurately remember even the season.
A. I don't think my memory is particularly good. It just happens to be the case that I awakened on my birthday, 11 years ago on June 7th.
Q. So you awakened on your birthday. Did something happen that day?
A. I was on the 1st floor of the Tower. I can't tell you anything else. It's my privacy.
+
When you looked at it, it was just a normal interview.
But for me… this was the important hint I was looking for.
"Wow, really? Wait a minute. This might work!"
I found a way. A way to kill the World's Rank 1 Hunter.
It was definitely not an easy task and others would ridicule me for being crazy. But at the same time, it was the only method of killing the Flame Emperor. It was something even someone like me, an F Rank Hunter, could accomplish.
'I can really take my revenge!'
At that moment.
"It's a fire!"
It was noisy outside the window. To see what was going on, I opened the window. On the other side of the town, there was a red smoke rising above. Residents screamed and came out to the streets.
"Oh no! What should we do?"
"Instead of just standing here, let us try to extinguish the fire!"
"Ok!"
Many residents swarmed the place.
The place I lived in was different from the 'outside world.' To become Hunters, we have all stepped into the Tower. For those residents, a city was made within the 1st floor of the Tower.
There were many names for this city. Some called it Babylon and others called it Naraka. While there were Hunters who just simply call it the 1st floor city, there were others who gave it an old fashioned name like City of Ascension (登天都市).
It's probably because the Tower have residents from all over the World.
Most people who lived here were Hunters. Whether they liked it or not, they experienced life threatening events. Unlike those who live in the outside world, Hunters reacted quickly to danger.
I quickly left my room and went down to help the residents.
'That madman.'
I checked the time with my smartphone. It has been 24 hours since I've returned from death. It was exactly when the Flame Emperor killed the Saintess.
Meaning…
'That Plague! He started the fire to hide all of the evidence!'
The Flame Emperor, Yoo Sooha.
He was truly a devilish bastard.
***
The vigilante group already arrived on the scene. Hunters from big guilds arrived one after another. Normally, they would be growling and showing their claws to each other, but everyone co-operated to subdue the flame demon(火魔).
"Don't use your water abilities independently!"
"That's right. We need to time our abilities together! Just like this."
"The Black Dragon guild will be temporarily managing this area. Please follow our instructions only for a moment, everyone!"
Hunters that were hard to find, unless you saw their face on the newspaper, were all gathered here. There were even two or three top rankers present. While helping the residents, I stole few glances at the rankers.
"F-For the time being, we have finished isolating the surrounding area. The problem is whether or not there are any survivors inside… I think we will need to send a rescue team at once."
Rank #5. The guild master of doctors and pharmacist, the Master Alchemist(鍊金省主).
"That's fine. This place was originally a slum. No one has lived here for five years, so it became an off-limits area. It's fortunate that a fire broke out in a place like this. "
Rank #10. Leader of the vigilante group that is responsible for the city's public order, the Paladin.
They were the famous Hunters known for helping others in need. Among the top rankers, there were not lone wolves who stood idly. They arrived at the scene faster than anyone else and took command.
'Normally, the Saintess would be standing in between them, but…'
She was nowhere to be found.
That was obvious. Since she was murdered by not your typical lone wolf, but the greatest shithead loner of them all.
The only people who knows this fact will probably be me and the Flame Emperor. Not even the other top rankers know this truth yet… No, perhaps they'll never know the truth.
The Master Alchemist looked around.
"That's weird. Why isn't Miss Saintess here yet…?"
"I heard she had to do something tonight. I don't know the details, but perhaps it's a date?"
The Rank 10 Hunter, the Paladin chuckled.
"She has lately been together with the Flame Emperor."
"… I dislike the man known as the Flame Emperor."
The Master Alchemist hunched her shoulders.
"He gives off a bad vibe… It would be impolite to talk behind his back in such a place, but I think Miss Saintess should meet a better person."
"Your standards are too high. Just what kind of man would be better than the Rank 1? This is why you're still single."
"I-It doesn't matter how old I am… Even mid 30s is still safe…"
Speaking of the devil.
"It's the Flame Emperor!"
The people who were working to put out the fires all stopped for a moment. The top rankers turned their heads. Dressed in a hoodie and sweatpants, the Flame Emperor, or rather, the Plague casually strolled. The Plague seemed to have been greatly annoyed.
"Ah, fuck. Who played with fire without my permission?"
This crazy psychopath bastard.
"Greetings, Flame Emperor."
"Mhm. I have arrived."
"As you can see, someone committed arson in the old slums district. Could you lend us a hand?"
The Paladin spoke politely, but the Flame Emperor was aloof.
"If I help you, what are you going to give me?"
"You would feel great for helping people free of charge."
"Enough with the bullcrap. Tell me what I'll get."
"Tomorrow, all media across the world will write in big bold letters that [The Flame Emperor subdues the fire, a charitable act of goodwill]. You can improve your image while grabbing the attention of all the people around the world."
"Pfff."
The Flame Emperor stuffed his hands in his pockets and laughed at her words.
"Do you think I give a fuck about those trash journalists?"
He was truly a psychopath who lost his mind.
Residents were already recording the Flame Emperor with their phone. The Flame Emperor's every word and action was being transmitted in real time throughout the world. The internet became heated at the division of people who sided with the Flame Emperor and those who criticized him.
What would the defenders say?
- Yeah. You should fiercely protect your self-interests.
- Helping someone for free only makes you a pushover.
- It's still nice to see a hero who is this honest.
My mind became fuzzy
'No one knows.'
I felt a dread that sent chills down my spine.
'He's not being upfront and honest, that bastard is just… crazy and insane.'
Even though flames danced right in front of me, my heart was cold. These flames. This arson. This disaster. All of it was caused by the Flame Emperor himself. Nevertheless, he returned with a perfectly fine face and asked, 'What are you going to give me?'
And so, I was finally convinced.
'I need to get rid of him!'
A monster.
It wasn't just for my revenge. It was for all of humanity. For the sake of the Hunters, that monster deserved to be eradicated. Monsters are simply monsters. It's the Hunter's mission and duty to kill them!
'By all means… I must kill him.'
In this Tower, there lived a single monster that darted fire. Yes. It was so. But it was inappropriate to simply say that it was there. It was quite inappropriate.
Because, that monster was my prey.
'Even if I die.'
I took a step forward.
Thud.
I walked past the heroes who were concerned about the follow-up measures. I walked past the ordinary people who were doing their best to control the fire. Towards the ever-rising flames, towards the fire that was as fierce as Hell, I walked closer.
"Huh? Wait a moment. Where are you going?"
I walked.
"Hyung-ssi! You shouldn't get too close to the flames!"
I continued to walk.
"Oh no! That person must be crazy!"
"Someone please, stop him!"
"Fuck, what's that crazy bastard doing!?"
And I ran.
Behind me, people were making a fuss. There were those who jumped up and down. Others who stopped working and yelled at me. I ignored them all. Ignoring them, I simply ran.
'It's hot.'
This place was no different than Hell. Fwoosh! The flames were licking me with its red tongue.
'It's painful!'
With each step, my flesh melted. My eyes were burnt crisp within its sockets.
But still…
'It's better than dying to the Flame Emperor!'
This was the only method of killing the Flame Emperor with absolute certainty.
How long have I been running? I seem to have run for quite some time, but it also felt like only a minute. The smoke clogged up my throat, making me cough. When I finally stopped coughing, I heard a voice.
[You have died.]
That's right.
[You'll be returning 24 hours prior]
This was my second death.
***
When people saw me jump into the fire, they made a huge fuss saying I was crazy. Of course, I wasn't crazy. It was the complete opposite. I had an awfully cold understanding of the current situation.
"… I'm back."
Back to my Hell. My 125 sqft single room apartment.
The walls were plastered with interview articles, and a live broadcast streamed on the television. This is already the third time that I've heard this live broadcast.
- Breaking news. The Black Dragon Guild attempts to conquer the 40th floor of the Tower…
Once again, I've returned to yesterday.
'Good. The skill is working properly.'
Unlike the last time, I didn't pay any attention to the television. There was no need. The skill that allows me to go back 24 hours worked. All I had to do was make sure this was certain. With this, I can kill the Flame Emperor.
[You are currently an F Class Hunter.]
[Due to your low rank, you will not be penalized.]
"As expected."
I mumbled to myself.
'Returner's Clockwork Watch… it said that the penalty will increase with the Hunter's Class, right?'
On the contrary, it means that no penalty is given to Hunters with the lowest Class. If you're an F Class like me, you don't even get a penalty.
'This is my chance.'
This is the very moment, while I was still an F Class.
The one and only golden opportunity to hunt the Flame Emperor.
'My last chance.'
I took the knife out of my backpack.
It was an old knife. A knife that I've been keeping ever since I started working as a Hunter. While it was not usable for killing monsters… It was sufficient enough to kill a person.
'How can I kill the Flame Emperor?'
I've thought about it.
'Should I cooperate with the Saintess before she dies? Should I report to the Black Dragon Guild about my skill and devise a plan to imprison the Flame Emperor forever? Or should I try to record the moment the Saintess dies?'
Any method was fine.
But they were just simply fine. It didn't ensure the Flame Emperor would 100% die.
'I don't have the qualifications to gain the Saintess' trust.'
I lacked the skills.
'I don't have the authority to move an entire guild into action.'
I lacked the strength.
'I don't think I can successfully record the Flame Emperor killing the Saintess.'
I lacked the confidence.
'But…'
Even so, I had something.
'If I die, I'll return 24 hours prior.'
A skill.
The Returner's Clockwork Watch that was copied from the Flame Emperor.
'That's right. I have a skill.'
'Don't worry Kim Gongja, you can do this!'
*Gulp.* One last time, I looked at the wall. A magazine journalist's interview with the Flame Emperor was affixed there, untouched.
+
Q. Yoo Soohnim, when did you experience your first awakening?
A. During summer when I was 21. So it's been 11 years.
Q. You must have good memory to be able to accurately remember even the season.
A. I don't think my memory is particularly good. It just happens to be the case that I awakened on my birthday, 11 years ago on June 7th.
+
'11 years ago.'
11 years ago, on June 7th. It was still summer.
If you counted the days backward…
'It's 4050 days.'
That's right.
'I just need to die 4050 times.'
This was the only method of killing the Flame Emperor with absolute certainty.
'Yoo Sooha.'
'If you are a monster that can't die.'
I raised the knife above.
'I'll kill you before you become that monster!'
And then, I stabbed my neck.
To return back in time.
Back 11 years ago, to June 7th. Back before the Flame Emperor awakens his first skill. Back before he could return 24 hours prior to his death, to those summer days.
Back to the time the Flame Emperor could still die!
"Ugk…!"
It was hot and painful. My heart pounded crazily as if it was about to burst. The nerves throughout my entire body screamed. I couldn't see anything, nor could I feel anything.
But then, I still heard a voice.
[You have died.]
[Returning 24 hours prior.]
I returned a day before.
The day before, I was lying in bed. The television was off. However, the walls remained unchanged, plastered with scraps of newspapers. One day was not sufficient to erase the Flame Emperor's history, or rather, that psychopath's history.
I glared at Yoo Sooha's photo.
'It doesn't matter.'
If a day was not enough, then a week. If a week is lacking, then a month. If a month was not sufficient, then a year. If one year is inadequate, then…
"Now."
I pulled out my dagger once again.
"I just need to die 4049 times more."
And I stabbed myself to death.