The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 179

178

‘What the hell is he?’

Noah stared at the knocked-down Kim Junwoo, breathing heavily.

Clearly, the attack landed properly, but Noah himself was more taken aback.

It was just one hit.

After exerting all his strength for a full 30 minutes, he managed to land just one hit.

Before that, he couldn’t even deliver a proper attack, let alone any significant damage.

‘Damn it, where the hell did this guy crawl out from?’

What was even more chilling was… that guy said he had no intention of killing him.

Doesn’t that mean he’s using just enough strength not to kill him, unlike himself, who’s attacking with the full intention to kill?

A hunter who can conserve his strength while fighting against the Rank 1?

Does that even exist?

“This is surprising.”

Just then, Kim Junwoo rose from the rubble.

“You’re the first person to land a hit on me with pure strength alone. I guess the World Rank 2 title isn’t just for show.”

“…Unbelievable. Are you saying you’re the unofficial Rank 1?”

“Unofficial?”

Kim Junwoo’s gaze turned to Noah.

“Still not getting it?”

He still had a strange smile on his face, but the atmosphere was completely different from before.

Like the eyes of a predator in front of its prey.

Noah tensed up all over his body without realizing it.

‘Damn it…’

He gritted his teeth.

His body is starting to feel the strain.

It was the first time he had pushed his stats this far since the Red-grade dungeon a year ago.

In other words, that bastard alone has power close to a Red-grade monster right now.

Can that even be called a human?

That bastard’s skill is something completely different from those mediocre hunters.

‘A strongman, a strongman above strongmen…’

He had met many world-class rankers, but.

Facing that guy now, it felt like all of that was child’s play.

‘Can I win…?’

A moment of doubt arose, but that was it.

Noah’s hand clenched tightly.

Right, when has he ever fought while thinking like that?

Even when he was beaten by his adoptive parents every day, when he left home with Sophia, when he first entered the dungeon, and when he rose to Rank 1, he only thought about one thing.

Just surviving.

Today is just an extension of that.

“Haaap!!”

With a loud shout, Noah took his stance again.

[Unique Skill: Apocalypse]

[Survival – Law 1]

[No Tolerance]

Bang, Kwa Kwang―!!

With a single punch, the surrounding rubble soared into the sky.

But Kim Junwoo once again dodged the attack at high speed.

Noah’s total stats are currently 190,000.

Even a graze would be fatal.

Kim Junwoo seemed to know this, as he focused on dodging.

Kwajik―!

Bang, Kwa Kwang―!!

Peobeobeobeong―!!

Noah relentlessly pressed on, as if not giving him any room to dodge.

Kim Junwoo wasn’t just taking it.

[Unique Skill: Overlord – Dictator]

[Creation Skill: Demon Sword Summon]

A large sword appeared in the air.

[Unique Skill: Apocalypse]

[Survival – Law 3]

[Plunder]

Shuoooook―!

The sword flew towards Kim Junwoo, not Noah.

Kwang―!!!

“…Keuk!”

The impact was so great that the ground shook.

Kim Junwoo, who had been dodging all attacks, seemed to have taken quite a bit of damage this time.

Kim Junwoo’s skill to nullify attacks seemed to be useless now.

Even if he creates skills on the spot, he can just steal them.

He can’t take him down right away, but there’s a possibility if his stats reach their maximum.

Only 10 minutes left until he reaches his maximum.

If he can just hold out for 10 minutes while blocking attacks…….

He can win.

That’s what he thought at that moment.

“That would be a bit dangerous.”

Kim Junwoo’s chilling gaze pierced through Noah.

He shuddered at the feeling of his whole body becoming eerie.

“Then try to kill me before that.”

[Unique Skill: Apocalypse]

[Survival – Law 5]

[Forced Breakthrough]

Paang―!!

As he kicked off the ground and rushed forward once again, an enormous shockwave occurred that shook the space.

[Survival – Law 1]

[No Tolerance]

He put all his strength into his fist and stretched it out towards Kim Junwoo.

[Unique Skill: Overlord – Awakening]

A surge of energy erupted from Kim Junwoo’s entire body, incomparable to anything before.

[Awakening Skill has been activated.]

[From this moment on, the caster transcends the existing class.]

[Awakened Class: Absolute Monarch]

“……Huh?”

Noah’s body suddenly stopped.

For a moment, he thought it was Kim Junwoo’s skill effect, but.

‘No, this is…….’

It’s instinct.

Instinct stopped his body.

The instinct that felt the overwhelming fear that he would really die if he went any further.

“Sh, shit…!!”

Noah screamed and desperately moved his body.

[Unique Skill: Apocalypse]

[Survival – Law 3]

[Plunder]

But…….

[……Skill cannot be activated]

“……What?”

[The correct target is not specified.]

[Please re-specify the target.]

“Sh, shit, what nonsense…….”

Noah’s mind went blank for a moment in embarrassment.

In the meantime, Kim Junwoo’s finger was pointed at him.

He couldn’t even make eye contact with the tremendous pressure, and his head fell without him realizing it.

[Absolute Monarch: Destroyer]

────!

The surrounding sounds disappeared.

He couldn’t feel anything.

The only thought that came to mind in his fading consciousness was.

‘Wesley, you crazy bastard…….’

What the hell were you thinking, making such a guy an enemy?

***

Seeing Oliver’s house completely destroyed, I let out a deep sigh.

I never thought I’d have to use my Awakening Skill.

But I had no choice either.

At the last moment, Noah’s total stats exceeded 250,000.

‘If I had been a little late, I would have been in big trouble…….’

As I shook off the vaguely felt sense of crisis, Kim Minju approached.

“S, Teacher…?”

“Don’t worry. I didn’t kill him.”

I answered, glancing at Noah, who had lost consciousness and collapsed on the floor.

In fact, I couldn’t guarantee what would happen to him with the last attack.

He wasn’t someone I could fight while trying to control my strength awkwardly.

‘If he died from this, I couldn’t help it, but…….’

To think it would end with him just losing consciousness.

It was possible because it was him; if it had been someone else, he would have already gone to the afterlife.

‘He’s definitely a strong guy.’

I couldn’t help but shake my head at his tenacious vitality.

“Ye, yes! I knew you’d save him even if you said that!”

At that time, Oliver, who had been rescued by Kim Minju, raised his voice.

Is that guy still out of his mind?

“Don’t get me wrong. I just saved him because he’s still useful.”

“Uh, uh…?”

“You too, and that guy over there, you’re still needed to stand against the International Association. Of course, if you’re not helpful, I’ll take care of it myself then.”

“…….”

A shadow fell over Oliver’s face.

The reason I didn’t kill Noah here is the same.

He belongs to PB Corporation, but his goal is only to avenge his sister.

As long as the International Association is included in that revenge target, his blade will eventually be directed at the headquarters.

Of course, he would be a troublesome existence from the headquarters’ point of view.

If I killed Noah here, it would only reduce one of the headquarters’ headaches.

Above all…….

‘If that guy has any sense, he’ll now be able to distinguish between allies and enemies.’

I don’t even expect him to help.

It’s enough of a benefit just for him to stand against the International Association.

‘Haa…….’

The situation is not good at all.

We failed to recover the Bank Item, and the International Association has gained control over dungeons and hunters around the world.

If even Eden falls into their hands…… there will be no way to stop the International Association.

A second International Association.

Becoming Secretary-General within 5 years.

Releasing the Karma Skill.

Returning to my original body.

All of them will become impossible.

So, for now…… somehow, we need to get Eden first.

“Do you remember the dungeon information where Eden was discovered three years ago?”

“Uh… th, that… I think it was a Yellow-grade dimensional dungeon…….”

Dimensional dungeon.

The dungeon with the longest re-emergence period among dungeons.

Well, that’s why it hasn’t been discovered yet.

The average waiting period for a dimensional dungeon is 3 years…….

It’s exactly the time for it to reappear.

The problem is that we don’t know where in the United States it will reappear…….

‘It would be nice if it appeared in the area we bought by chance, but.’

It’s an absurd probability.

We can’t rely on luck as the situation is now.

Then… I have no choice.

I immediately took out my cell phone.

“It’s me.”

「How did it go?」

Branch Manager Lee Ah-young asked in a nervous voice when she answered the phone.

“The deal fell through.”

「……What?!」

“Also, I heard that Eden was discovered three years ago.”

「E, Eden? Does that really exist?!」

“It seems so. Well, as you know, if Eden falls into the hands of the International Association, it’s all over. We have to find it first no matter what…… It’s impossible unless we manage all the dungeons in the United States.」

「Does that mean…….」

“Yes.”

I nodded and continued.

“Let’s acquire the US branch.”

***

International Hunter Association, Headquarters.

“We have just received a report that a battle occurred in Trenton, USA. When the police arrived at the scene, no one was there…….”

The executive secretary, who was reporting to Secretary-General Wesley, hesitated, watching his reaction.

“Since then, contact with Noah Westernwood has been lost.”

“Contact lost? Not dead?”

“Yes. Judging from the fact that the body has not been found, it does not appear to be dead.”

“Huh.”

A hollow laugh escaped without me realizing it.

Did no one die after all?

‘Tsk, this is going to be a hassle…….’

That human has nothing but revenge for his sister in his head.

As long as the International Association is included in that target, he will definitely try to attack us someday.

It’s unlikely, but if Kim Junwoo even joins hands with him…… that would be definitely troublesome.

I have no choice.

It’s earlier than expected, but I have no choice but to start moving.

“Please prepare a press conference right away.”

“Yes, yes?”

The executive secretary was startled.

“Ah, Eden hasn’t been discovered yet, so moving already is a bit dangerous…….”

“If we wait until then and Kim Junwoo or Noah attacks, will you take responsibility?”

“…….”

“We need to take control of the international community before they show their teeth. It’s not too late to wait for the right time after that.”

“……I’m sorry.”

The executive secretary immediately bowed his head.

“First, let’s start by restricting the appearance of dungeons in all countries except for our affiliated branches.”

Secretary-General Wesley’s voice was low.

“From now on, we will manage all dungeons and hunters around the world.”