Chapter 60: My Secret Family Consultation with Her Guardian

Chapter 60: My Secret Family Consultation with Her Guardian

“What are you doing here, Ms. Sung Mi-Na? Also, what’s with that outfit?”

I called the name of the person wearing a beaked mask, causing her shoulders to flinch.

“You...”

Thud!

Her mask fell to the ground. She was sweating, but that only enhanced her beauty.

“How did you know it was me?”

“I told you, didn’t I? I have an appraisal skill.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. This mask is an A-grade concealment item with a voice changer. You’re telling me your appraisal skill can bypass that?” Sung Mi-Na gritted her teeth.

You don’t have to glower at me like that, it’s the truth.

“Anyway, what are you doing?”

Sung Mi-Na pointed at Sword Demon and said, “Killing him,” making him wince.

That much was obvious. Still, was that guy some kind of neighborhood punching bag?

“Mr. Sword Demon, just admit it, you’re a weakling. Didn’t you say there’s less than ten people you couldn’t kill?” I whispered to Sword Demon.

“Assassination requires groundwork. Also, that woman is definitely one of those ten.” Sword Demon smugly puffed out his chest.

Was that something to be proud about? I sighed and turned to Sung Mi-Na.

“I’m not sure what’s going on, but can’t you forgive him? I know, he looks like a bad guy. But once you get to know him, he’s quite pitiful and even a bit foolish at times.”

“M-Mr. Sword God?”

“Ha? Did you just ask me to release the guy who tried to kill my little sister?” Sung Mi-Na’s eyes burned with anger.

So, she knew.

“He’s changed, and besides, he’s lost an arm. Is there really a need to kill him? If you’re still mad, I’ll take responsibility and have him turn himself in. Aren’t you an S-rank Hunter? You can still be considered a public servant, right? Shouldn’t you be upholding the law...”

However, Sung Mi-Na looked around at the surroundings, not paying attention at all.

“Doesn’t seem like anyone else is tailing you. Unlike your appearance, you’re quite reckless.”

Then, her ruby lips curved into a smirk, taunting me.

Ah, she’s so goddamn pretty, my heart can’t help but flutter. Masculine instincts are so sad.

“This suits me. I was about to come after you once I’m done with him. Now, I can take care of you both. Saves me the trouble.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. While I could see why she wanted to get rid of Sword Demon, why me?

“W-why me?”

“Drop the act. Johan mentioned your name before he died. I figured that you’re the one behind all of this.”

Mastermind? Me? Wait, how did you get it so wrong?

“Why did you approach Mi-Ri? You won her over by pretending to save her, didn’t you?! What are you planning to do?!”

But I am just an ordinary third-rate novelist in South Korea. Ah, wait. I'm not even one.

I fell into depression as I recalled the latest novel I had uploaded on Dalpia. Now that she blamed me for everything, I felt like wallowing in misery.

“I also have a question for you. If you care so much about your younger sister, why did you seal her power?”

Sung Mi-Na was petrified. It seemed like I’d struck a nerve.

That day, at the hospital, I desperately tried to break Sung Mi-Ri’s seal, only to fail miserably. Finally, I appraised the seal on the monster.

-----

[Blood Pearl Seal]

Around for 13 years. Suppresses the Thunder Beast’s power, from which Sung Mi-Ri’s abilities originate from.

Special note: The seal was made by the cursed Sung Mi-Na with her own life.

-----

“I just can’t wrap my head around it. Why risk your own life to seal her? No way, are you jealous of her? Do you hate the idea of her surpassing you as a Hunter? Is that why you decided to nip it in the bud?”

“Nonsenses! You don’t know anything!” Sung Mi-Na’s face contorted horribly.

Then, Sung Mi-Na pointed her finger at my heart, saying, “Skill, Reaper’s Declaration.”

Like a bodyguard blocking a bullet, Sword Demon panickedly leaped in front of me.

“No! Mr. Sword God!”

“Stop!”

But Sung Mi-Na was faster. Except, nothing happened.

Caught up in the atmosphere, I felt a bit nervous.

“Mr. Sword God, are you alright?! Do you feel any discomfort?!” Sword Demon scanned me all over with a pale face.

“I don’t feel anything.”

“And here I almost killed myself on her order... As expected of Mr. Sword God! You’re amazing!” His eyes brimmed with respect.

Of course, I wasn’t pleased at all. Did you hear? That woman mistook me as the mastermind behind all of this!

“Despite my best efforts, my commands still didn’t work on you.” Sung Mi-Na bit her lips until it bled.

“You really pissed me off.”

Even without you saying so, I can tell.

She seemed about to pop a vein, and her hair stood on end like a hedgehog’s. Interesting hairstyle you got there, just as I thought that...

Ssss—

“Huh?”

The floor I stood on suddenly turned into a swamp. I was sinking. In a panic, I tried to resist, but...

Flick! Flick!

Chains flew at me from all directions, binding and dragging me down.

“Argh!”

Crack! Craaaack!

I tried breaking them, but they were just too many. Thousands after thousands of chains restrained me, like a spider capturing its prey.

Ssss—

Sung Mi-Na watched me smugly. “Don’t worry, you won’t die. You’ll only turn into a vegetable and never wake up.”

Then, she stepped on my head with her high heels, sinking me deeper until my neck.

“This is your last chance. Tell me. Who are you? What is your motive?”

I pondered over it seriously. Was this an illusion or reality? If it was an illusion, I could say whatever I wanted, right?

“Ms. Sung Mi-Na...”

When I spoke, she smiled brightly, looking satisfied.

“Very good. Do you feel like talking now?”

“I can see your panties. White...”

“Kyaaaa!” she screamed, withdrawing a few steps.

Who told you to step on others while wearing a skirt?

Growl—

That was the last thing I saw as I got swallowed by the swamp. Darkness enveloped everything around. It felt as if I’d been plunged into a vast universe of dark matters. Sleepiness from three all-nighters in a row to rush the deadline pervaded me.

Mm, I’m getting sleepy. Wait, I shouldn’t be sleeping.

I hadn’t found out why she sealed Sung Mi-Ri’s powers. Yet, against my will, my consciousness slipped away.

Ding!

Faintly, I heard a notification from God-Maker.

[You have met the conditions for activating Silently Crawling Nightmare’s innate power Night Rose.]

Somehow, I felt that this was going to be a good dream.

***

Only Sung Mi-Na was left in the mental space.

“I never got him to fess up. He must have something to do with Abysm!”

She stared at the swamp that had swallowed Yu Il-Shin with mixed feelings. What a shame she failed to figure out his true identity. At the very least, that was one less threat directed at Mi-RI.

Shall I head back?

Just as she was about to return to reality...

Flick flick flick!

“...!”

A giant vine suddenly appeared from the swamp, attacking her.

Bang bang!

“Urk!”

Sung Mi-Na leaped into the air, barely dodging the vines, but that was only the beginning.

Ruuuumble!

A massive earthquake shook her mental space! Then, an absurdly gigantic being rose from the swamp.

“O-oh my gosh! W-what’s that?”

Sung Mi-Na was startled when the tall shadow loomed over her. It was an outrageously huge yet eerily beautiful flower.

“H-how did this end up in my mental space...?!”

It was her domain! There shouldn’t be any unrecognizable or unapproved entity here?!

Ruuumble!

That cryptid flower looked at Sung Mi-Na, opening its jaw wide and roaring ferociously.

-Kieeeeek!

“Kyaaaa! D-don’t come near me!”

Sung Mi-Na’s nightmare had begun.