The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 178

177

“Teacher!!”

[Unique Skill: Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara]

Swish, swish—!

Oliver’s house exploded from the sudden attack.

Kim Min-ju sliced through all the collapsing debris and rushed toward me.

“It’s okay, I’m fine.”

[Acquired Skill: Low Shield]

Thump, thud—.

Of course, it wasn’t necessary, but.

Startled by the unexpected attack, I quickly scanned my surroundings amidst the crumbling debris.

However, the dust made it impossible to see even an inch ahead.

‘Just who the hell…….’

Another attack might come at any moment, so I focused intently on listening to the sounds around me. Just then,

A faint voice came from the ground.

“S, save me…!”

Looking down, I saw Oliver’s leg pinned under the debris.

I bent down to remove the concrete, and at that moment.

[Unique Skill: Apocalypse]

[As long as the Unique Skill is active, all stats of the caster continuously increase.]

[Survival – Rule #1]

[Zero Tolerance]

Thwack—!

Wham—!!!

“Ugh…!”

A fist suddenly flew out of the dust cloud.

I barely managed to block it with my reflexes, but that was it.

A surprisingly powerful impact traveled through my entire body, and I flew back, buried in the debris.

‘Damn it…!’

Even the arm that blocked the attack felt numb.

But there’s no time to rest.

I immediately got up.

Only then did I see the silhouette of a man.

‘That bastard…….’

Noah Westernwood.

The current Rank 1 and leader of the Balance Adjustment Team.

‘How the hell did that bastard know to come here…?’

A guy who shouldn’t be here suddenly appears and attacks?

More than that…….

The attack just now… it was truly lethal.

‘What the hell is going on.’

As I gritted my teeth, Noah spoke first.

“Why are you here?”

“That’s what I want to ask. How did you know to come here?”

“I heard it from the Secretary-General. Everything about what happened three years ago, what was discovered, and who killed Sophia.”

“……!”

He told Noah that now?

Why?

‘Could it be he found out about my deal…?’

Did he make a preemptive strike to avoid losing the Bank Item?

“Therefore, I regret to say that the deal is off.”

“……That’s different from the promise.”

“You should have found out sooner if you felt wronged.”

I saved my response [chose not to reply].

He’s right.

Having been preempted, that guy has no reason to deal with me anymore.

‘Damn it, this is all for nothing…….’

Things are getting more and more twisted.

“Then why did you come here? Are you going to kill that man?”

“Are you perhaps thinking of stopping me?”

“……What if I am?”

“Then I’ll have to kill you too.”

[Unique Skill: Apocalypse]

[Survival – Rule #3]

[Extortion]

A fierce current began to flow along his body as he resumed his attack stance.

At the same time, Kim Min-ju, sensing the unusual atmosphere, drew her sword.

“Teacher, leave this to me…….”

“It’s okay. He’s still too much for you.”

There’s a time and place to step in.

He didn’t reach Rank 1 through mere luck.

A Unique Skill focused solely on survival.

The ‘Survival’ skills derived from it each possess tremendous power.

Above all, the more opponents there are, and the longer the battle lasts, the closer he gets to being invincible.

Kim Min-ju can’t even compare right now.

‘This is going to be annoying…….’

I turned my gaze to Oliver, still pinned under the debris.

A trembling body and a face full of fear.

He shook his head, looking at me, as if to say, save me.

I nodded in acknowledgment.

“I was just saying. I have no intention of interfering with your revenge, so kill him or do whatever you want.”

“What…?! Hey, come on! You can’t just do this!”

Oliver shouted wildly.

But Noah didn’t bat an eye.

“But what are you going to do after killing this man?”

“……What?”

“I’m asking if your next target is the International Association after you’ve taken revenge on everyone involved with your sister.”

“Probably. Those who killed her and those who buried it are all the same.”

“If you really think that way… the order is wrong.”

At that moment, Noah’s eyebrows twitched.

“Why do you think the Secretary-General told you that story now? It’s not like he didn’t know you were going to take revenge.”

“……What?”

“He wanted you to kill everyone involved in that incident three years ago.”

“Ha! That’s ridiculous. If that were the case, he would have killed them three years ago.”

“Back then, he thought he could get clues about Eden from you, as you were the only witness. But… there’s no need for that now. Because he has all the Bank Items in his hands.”

I continued slowly.

“The International Association has already gained the power to control the entire world. They will manage all dungeons and Hunters worldwide. Even if Eden is rediscovered, it will unconditionally fall into the hands of the International Association.”

“……So, those who have clues are no longer needed?”

I nodded.

“The International Association is trying to prevent Eden from falling into anyone else’s hands at all costs. And you’re just going to willingly go along with that? That just sounds like you’re making the International Association invincible.”

“…….”

Noah’s momentum gradually subsided.

The deal fell through, and the recovery of the Bank Items failed.

Now, the International Association will use the Bank Items to seize control of the international community.

In other words, from now on, going against the International Association is the same as going against the entire world.

Turning the entire world into an enemy?

That’s not just about winning or losing; it’s about losing everything you’ve built up.

Currently, there’s no way to stop the International Association’s dominance.

Except for one thing.

“We need to find Eden first. That’s the only way to stand against the International Association.”

“…….”

“So, the order is wrong. You need to strike the International Association first, and then take revenge or do whatever you want.”

“Find Eden and destroy the International Association first?”

“That’s right.”

Yes, if we find Eden, things will change.

No, even if we can’t find it, we must at least prevent Eden from falling into the hands of the International Association.

To do that, I need this man’s help, no matter how unappealing he is.

If Noah has at least a minimum of sense, he’ll know what’s more important…….

[Unique Skill: Apocalypse]

[Survival – Rule #1]

[Zero Tolerance]

“……!!”

Wham—!!

Another fist flying at me.

“What are you doing!”

“I just don’t like it.”

“……?”

“I don’t like that both you and that bastard are trying to manipulate me.”

“What does that…….”

“Damn it, do you think I’m easy?”

His eyes flashed.

“Eden or whatever, from now on, I’m just going to do what I want. If you’re thinking of stopping me, come at me now. I’ll kill you.”

“Ha…….”

What a terrible personality.

I tilted my head up.

Looking at the collapsed ceiling, I let out a deep sigh.

There’s no reasoning with him…….

“…I have no choice.”

[Unique Skill: Demon King]

“I warned you. Be careful.”

I have no choice but to beat him until he changes his mind.

“I don’t want to kill you, though.”

***

“Noah made a deal with Kim Jun-woo?”

International Hunter Association Headquarters.

Representative Emma asked, facing Secretary-General Wesley.

“He’s crazy about his sister’s case. He probably demanded the Bank Item in exchange for investigating the incident three years ago.”

“So you told him everything? To make a preemptive strike?”

Secretary-General Wesley leaned his chin on his hand and continued.

“That way, he’ll kill them all on his own. It’s like wiping your nose without lifting a finger [getting someone else to do your dirty work].”

“I received a call from Team Leader Chloe. Kim Jun-woo is digging into the incident three years ago at the American branch. It’s probably only a matter of time before they clash. Given his personality, Noah won’t let him kill the cleaners [those who cover up the crime].”

“Then that’s even better.”

“……What?”

Secretary-General Wesley raised one corner of his mouth.

“Whether Kim Jun-woo dies, Noah dies… or the cleaners who discovered Eden three years ago die, it’s all good for us in the end.”

“What if no one dies?”

“Hmm, that would be a bit troublesome. Well, that’s unlikely, though.”

Secretary-General Wesley scoffed.

The world’s current Rank 1 Hunter.

A man who can start a war against the entire world, the strongest Hunter classified as the most dangerous person in the international community.

Of course, Kim Jun-woo is not someone to be taken lightly either.

As an unregistered ability user, it’s impossible to judge his exact stats, but based on his actions so far, it’s clear that Kim Jun-woo’s skills are comparable to Noah’s.

If these two evenly matched individuals clash seriously, neither will have the 余裕 [leeway] to save the other.

‘In that case…….’

The moment they clash, one of them will definitely die.

***

[Unique Skill: Apocalypse]

[Combat Time: 30 minutes elapsed]

[Current Stats]

[Strength: 29,635]

[Stamina: 14,193]

[Agility: 15,563]

[Mana: 25,343]

[Survival – Rule #2]

[Weapon Acquisition]

Whoosh—.

Noah pulled out a pillar that was barely supporting the ceiling and swung it at me.

Bang—!!!

The power was enough to lift the ground along the trajectory of the swing.

But.

[Unique Skill: Demon King – Predation of the Strong]

[While the Unique Skill is active, all attacks are nullified if the opponent’s Mana is lower than the caster’s.]

It couldn’t damage me at all.

But there’s no time to be complacent.

The longer I drag this out because of his skill, the more disadvantageous it becomes for me.

[Unique Skill: Demon King – Dictator]

[Creates a one-time-use skill based on the caster’s thoughts.]

[Skill Creation in Progress]

[Skill Creation Complete.]

[Created Skill: Hangman]

Swish—.

“Ugh!”

The rope that shot out wrapped around Noah’s body.

[Acquired Skill: Limit Break]

[All of the caster’s stats temporarily exceed their limits.]

[Acquired Skill: Over-Immersion]

[The effects of all skills used by the caster during combat are greatly increased.]

[Acquired Skill: Destroyer]

Bang—!!!

A powerful explosion directly hit his abdomen.

But…….

“Kuhhhhh…!”

He’s not even knocked out?

Just what kind of body does he have…….

Drip, drip—.

“……!”

Noah immediately cut the rope and charged at me.

[Unique Skill: Apocalypse]

[Survival – Rule #4]

[Territorial Expansion]

Rumble—!!

The space around him began to distort.

Even I wouldn’t be safe if I entered that range.

[Acquired Skill: Hyper Boost]

Flash—.

I moved to at least avoid close combat.

He’s not someone I can afford to be complacent with.

Should I get a little serious?

[Initiating S-Rank Skill Safety Release Sequence.]

[Checking Activation Conditions]

[Activation Conditions Verified.]

[Safety Device of the Corresponding Skill Released.]

[Use Skill with Caution.]

[Acquired Skill: Omnipotence]

Whoosh—!

A pure white spear flew towards him.

[Unique Skill: Apocalypse]

[Survival – Rule #3]

[Extortion]

[Seizes Control of the Opponent’s Skill.]

At that moment, the trajectory of the spear suddenly changed by 180 degrees.

Whoosh—!

“Wh, what…?!”

Bang—!!

It immediately flew towards me.

And Noah didn’t miss the opportunity.

[Survival – Rule #1]

[Zero Tolerance]

[Survival – Rule #2]

[Weapon Acquisition]

Bang—!

Wham—!!

A fiercely penetrating attack.

Its power is increasing in real-time.

Even now, his stats are increasing exponentially.

‘If I let him take the pace…….’

That would be really dangerous.

“Tch…!”

I quickly created some distance.

[Acquired Skill: Otherworld Summoning]

[Summons a minion from another dimension for 10 minutes.]

[Analyzing Caster’s Abilities.]

[Analysis Complete]

[Unique Skill – Demon King Activated]

[A minion proportional to the corresponding stats is summoned.]

Buzz—.

Purple light began to flash from the ground.

[Unique Skill: Apocalypse]

[Survival – Rule #5]

As if he had no intention of waiting for the summoning, he immediately charged at me.

But that’s enough.

[Unique Skill: Demon King – Predation of the Strong]

[While the Unique Skill is active, all attacks are nullified if the opponent’s Mana is lower than the caster’s.]

I raised my arm towards Noah, who was charging.

Bang—!!!

“……?”

My vision spun.

I struggled to hold onto my flickering consciousness, and only then did I realize that I was lying on the floor.

‘……What.’

Damn it, what.

Right now, that bastard…….

[Mana Higher Than Caster Detected.]

[Unique Skill: Apocalypse – Awakening]

[The Last Survivor]

He finally surpassed my stats…?