[Hell Hunting System Activated]
[Mission: Stab the Monster's Heart]
[Target: Descendant of the Hir Monster]
[Threat Level: X]
[Location: Lorun (The Western Golden Land)]
[Rewards]:
• 50,000 Goldi
• Golden Draining Needle
Zhen released the sealed soul from the heart of the Ghur Terrace into the sea, hoping the waves would carry it peacefully to the edge of the ocean.
"The System is just a system." Zhen packed his things, ready to move on to the next hunt.
After leaving Tolin, his feet stepped into a field of golden sand. But then, a sudden weight pressed down on his back—as if something heavy had latched onto him.
Something felt off. He retraced the steps of his last hunt. Since leaving the Northern Region, he had made no mistakes with his sword techniques. Every movement, every strike—perfectly honed.
"Normally after a hunt, my body feels light as a feather. There's something wrong with my back."
Beads of sweat, as large as corn kernels, rolled down his temples. Zhen decided to rest for a moment. His suspicion had been growing. And now he remembered—he wasn't alone anymore.
He had three companions now.
"Come out. It's only polite to greet your master," Zhen said, driving his sword into the sand.
A blue light spun before his eyes, dancing in erratic rhythms. Two more followed behind it.
The three blue lights interwove, forming the frame of a giant skull. Bone by bone, the skull collapsed and reshaped into three skeletons. A blue flame ignited within each of their skulls, setting them aglow.
Zhen stood, drawing his blade from the sand. Instantly, the three skeletons dropped to one knee, their heads bowed low in reverence.
A slight smile played at the corner of his lips as he watched their trembling shoulders betray their fear.
'Sadly, I am no creator. I am not to be worshipped.'
With both palms resting on the hilt of his blade, he faced them squarely. He gestured for them to rise—and to introduce themselves.
"At the very least, if you want to hunt for Goldi, you'll need to look forward. How can you hunt anything if your eyes are always on the ground?" The tip of his sword lifted one of the skeletons by the chin.
The three skeletons exchanged glances at his words. They seemed like they wanted to speak. Each opened its mouth in turn—but none dared utter a sound.
Zhen read the hesitation in their silent gestures.
"If a question is asked, surely you must send back a reply." The blade of his sword shifted, now gently grazing the cheekbone of the middle skull.
That skeleton flinched as a chill pierced through its bone—an accidental memory awakened by the blade's caress.
A flash of battle returned, scenes erupting like bolts of lightning, each one more violent than the last. A single tear fell from the skeleton's hollow socket, and fear forced its jaw to open.
"We don't hunt for Goldi," the skeleton said. The two beside it nodded in solemn agreement.
"Then what is it?" Zhen's sharp gaze demanded an answer.
"We are Soul-Eating Skulls—stolen from the deepest layer of Hell's prison," the middle one finally replied.
At the mention of "Soul-Eater", a cold weight sank deep into Zhen's bones. He stared at them one by one, unblinking. Something in his core stirred—like a locked door rattling open against his will. Rare pets, indeed. The seventh layer Hell's deepest prison—only held ancient and forbidden prey.
'Luck always favors the Cursed Hunter.'
A charming smile crept to his lips. "Soul-eaters or not, you belong to me now."
The three skeletons began to lower their heads again, but his blade halted them mid-motion, striking the air between their necks.
"Tell me everything I've never heard, never imagined—and about the thief," Zhen said as he slowly circled them, eyeing the variations in their bone colors.
The first skull had a brownish hue, especially near the back of its cranium. There, a faded inscription was etched into the bone in an old tongue: sono. Each of them bore similar ancient tattoos on the rear of their skulls.
"I am Sono. My punishment was to be dipped in burning lava, over and over, in Hell's deepest pit. I wield powerful earth magic."
Sono stepped back, giving the middle skeleton space to speak.
"I am Dono. I was impaled by a molten spear—through my manhood and straight into my brain. That was the sentence I endured in Hell's lowest layer. I bend time with manipulation."
Dono stepped back beside Sono. The final skull moved forward. Zhen's interest only deepened.
"I-I'm Mono. A-a-a…"
"He's Mono," Dono interrupted gently. "He stutters—can't really speak. But his magic is the strongest among us."
They exchanged glances again, eerie in their synchronized silence.
"What punishment did he endure?" Zhen asked.
"His body was used as fuel for the scorching air of Hell's deepest prison."
As Dono spoke, Mono nodded repeatedly in silent affirmation.
"Our master came from the Eastern Clan," Dono continued. "He infiltrated the prison as a red fly—absorbing the souls of seven clan members to become one. Then he stole us away. His descendant has become an Official Blood Hunter. And you… you will hunt him, when the time comes."
A crisp chuckle escaped Zhen's lips. He sheathed his sword, unshaken by the tale of these three cursed skeletons.
He paced around them slowly, then offered them a strangely gentle look. "Good. Then it's only right that fate led you to a killing machine and tormentor like me. I was going to test you first—but never mind that."
"It's excellent, really, if you're used to suffering." His twisted grin returned, and fear overtook the three skeletons. Their heads dropped again in despair.
[System Warning!]
[Commence Hunt Immediately!]
[Target Is Being Contested!]
Zhen gestured for the three skeletons to return to his back. The Soul Cage reformed, chaining them in place with whispered spells.
"I abandoned every form of happiness for a single Eastern Clan incantation. So if you want a soul from me, keep dreaming—unless I will it. Because suffering is what you deserve."
His steps carried him forward, tireless across the endless golden sands.
But then—an eerie buzzing filled his ears. A ringing, like metal bracelets clashing midair, teased and tugged at his senses. The Northern Hunter's eyes narrowed. Something was off. He felt it, the watchful breath of another.
He turned toward the haze—thick clouds of dust swirling like storm-borne fog.
'Are you my prey?'
A silhouette. A woman.
Her hair danced in the wind.
Around her wrists and ankles, metal bangles sang—chiming like an accidental curse, each note scratching at Zhen's ears.
She carried a bow on her back, an arrow already in motion.
And on her lips, a faint smile bloomed.
"Is that smile to greet me..."
"...or to challenge me?"