Chapter 13: Perspective of a Hunter (2)

“Believe what you want, I’m not joining you. If you’re done, then choose. Beat it, or have your bones shattered like that stupid fool.”

The air grew tense as they watched each other. Jimin and Julian were too used to fighting; they had replaced their own characteristics from what they were in their previous life.

But…

“I’ll beat it.”

Julian backed off. It was simple. Jimin was powerful. She was powerful even in the past life, but she was currently a step ahead of everyone. And considering the item she just obtained…

‘She will be the strongest duelist.’

Julian could have brought his ‘family’ to fight, but that would be too risky and unworthy.

“Think about it. I’m not asking you to join my family. You know that we all have earned a second chance. And the ‘throne’ is empty.”

“…”

“Besides, it’s not only us who made it to the end that were resurrected. You need to make up your mind if you want to survive.”

People who died before Dohyuk managed to kill a god were also brought back to life. They, too, had memories up until their deaths to try again. This meant that those who were powerful, whose only fault was to challenge Dohyuk, now had a second chance at the throne.

“You can be the new master. I just want to be a friend so if either one of us becomes…”

“Bastard.”

Jimin took a step with the knuckle on her hands.

“C-calmez vous (Calm down)…”

Julian raised his hands in surrender and took a step back. However, as he stepped up to the fence of the roof, he added, “Forget about Dohyuk. Even if he survived, he will not adapt to the new world. What we NEED to worry about is the lucky bastard who might have gotten his Nature.”

Before Jimin could charge, Julian leaped off the roof. Jimin stopped and her expression dropped. Her cold look instantly turned sad.

‘Dohyuk…’

She still had faith that Dohyuk was alive, but she was worried about how he had adapted. The situation had been moving rapidly even for those who had come back. Jimin took the cube from her pocket. This roof was safe place against those ‘worms’, but…

‘I can’t stay for 48 hours in this place.’

Even if she had a full 48 hours, coins given by the angels would only be a small amount befitting for a starting zone. It was better to explore other hidden areas during those 48 hours.

‘Others will think the same.’

Nonetheless, if she gained more strength within 48 hours, it would be easy to beat up most of worms. Jimin then jumped down in opposite direction of where Julian jumped.

‘I have to collect more… for Dohyuk too.’

She could picture a terrified Dohyuk in some unknown safe place. She gritted her teeth and ran out.

A sudden shock came from behind.

“Ugh!”

Dohyuk, who was taking a break, moaned. Someone had snuck into the rocky area and thrown a boulder the size of a small child at Dohyuk. It directly hit Dohyuk’s back.

“You’re a fool for sitting like a dumb duck!”

The ambusher quickly ran up to Dohyuk and kicked him. It would be a critical blow if it connected, but…

“Huh?”

Dohyuk quickly dodged the attack. It wasn’t a move from a novice and Dohyuk was able to land a kick on the man.

“ARGH!”

He quickly blocked it with both his arms, but he was pushed back. Dohyuk’s ‘Strength’ was that much stronger and so was his ‘Stamina’. By consuming the necklace, he had ‘Damage Nullification’ that absorbed half of the damage from the boulder.

“You…!”

The man tried frantically to attack, to which Dohyuk dodged and struck back. After a few more exchanges, the man realized that Dohyuk was practicing as he had superior stats and skills. However, he needed experience to utilize it. That was why he was now focusing on practicing against ‘weaker’ opponents when he had a chance.

The result was made due to the difference in ‘Stamina’.

“Ugh…”

The kick hit the man’s stomach and he buckled to the ground. Before he slumped down, he got up and began running away. Dohyuk did not chase after him. He had earned his purpose.

-AAAAAARGH!

And a scream came from a distance. Dohyuk then picked up the pocket from the ground. It was what the man dropped during the fight.

‘…He was foolish.’

He took the cube out and checked the time.

[Remaining hours: 35:39:02]

‘I should be more careful. It would have killed me if he was stronger.’

Dohyuk opened his cube pocket and added the new one into it. It was now 7th cube in the pocket. This was his ‘savings’ per se. There was a part of it within the desert that had hidden aspects. It would be an idea to go after it but… this was what the angel said:

-And when that time comes, we will give you coins in regards to how many hours you have left in that freshener. The less you use it, the more coins you get.

Considering the amount of time that was left, he’d gain more coins.

‘I’m just guessing but… the ones coming here are weak or who are not so sure.’

For a few hours, the six people he had beaten were those with no special weapons. These people were those that had lost against the competition or they were cowards who were trying to find a safe place to maintain the time on their cube. Dohyuk wasn’t too clear with the details, however.

‘I’ll wait.’

He’d hunt the weak ones that he could hunt without fail. This was Dohyuk’s way to ensure his survival. He now learned that he had to be alert at all times for any unexpected prey.

And then, there was a new prey. Dohyuk silently rose up.